The Plaza de España: Built during the Spanish and early American period, was the seat of the Spanish administration from 1669 to 1899. For over two hundred years, the Plaza de España served as the seat of Government and the main residence the leaders of three separate and distinct nations. Evident by its style, the Plaza was designed by and first accommodated the needs of Spanish Governors. These European leaders occupied the Plaza from 1736 to 1898. Today, three principal Spanish structures remain standing in the Plaza. There is a three-arch gate that was the threshold to the Almacen or Arsenal, the Azotea or ' Back Porch ', and the Chocolate House, which was a popular location for meriendas. The Gazebo was added during the early American Administration period. In the late nineteenth century the United States attained control of the Plaza with its Naval Governors inhabiting the grounds for the next 43 years. While under U.S. command, the Plaza again functioned as a residence, seat of government, and entertainment complex. During these times it was traditional for the U.S. Navy band to perform weekly concerts, inducing villagers to swarm to the Plaza to enjoy the music and to spend a leisure day in the park. In 1941, when invading Japanese forces maneuvered into Agana, only a small group of local soldiers, members of the Guam Insular Guard, resisted the advancing and heavily armed Imperial soldiers. That battle was short lived and it wasn't too long after that the Japanese proclaimed the island occupied. The Plaza again became the seat of government, this time for Japanese civil and military authorities. In 1944 the Plaza was almost entirely obliterated by American troops battling to liberate Guam.