State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan is urging village leaders to identify significant landmarks in their communities that could be added to the national register of historic places, unlocking new protections and funding for future generations.

It’s more than just preserving old buildings or battlefields, it’s about protecting the stories that shaped who we are.

“What we've been doing is looking at different infrastructures in your villages. We’ve done a survey in the south, we've done a survey in the central, and we are in the process of finishing up on the east side. Homes, businesses, and commercial buildings from 1975 are considered eligible. So think about it as you go around your villages,” said Lujan. 

Lujan shared a tentative list of historically significant sites during the Mayors Council of Guam meeting, ranging from wartime bunkers and massacre sites to Spanish-era forts and ancient latte stone sets.

“We are a resource for you. We want to work with you from a historical or archaeological point of view to add value to your village,” added Lujan. 

A site must be at least 50 years old to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places. While battlefields are typically easier to justify, Lujan says memorials like Manenggon, which was nationally recognized last December, can still be considered.

“It takes time. You have to really justify what criteria it will fall under. It's not a true reflection of your respective villages, as to what you have there- whether you have 1 or 2 on the list, there is way more. Guam is just rich in history in every village that we have,” said Lujan. 

Lujan also revealed joint restoration projects with the Guam Preservation Trust and ongoing coordination with the Japanese Consulate to recover WWII remains, bridging history with healing.

The full list of proposed historic sites, spanning from Sumai to Yigo, can be found at the bottom of this article. 

From sacred caves to crumbling fortifications, Lujan says the time is now to preserve these treasures before they fade into the jungle.

Whether it’s a village church, a battlefield bunker, or a forgotten rice mill, Guam’s historic footprint is rich and it’s ours to protect.