Calle de José Antonio Armona

José Antonio de Armona y Murga became chief magistrate of Madrid in 1777, appointed by Charles III, and held the post until his death in 1792, more consecutive years than any other of his time. He was born in 1726 in Respaldiza, in the Álava country, and before governing Madrid spent twelve years in Havana straightening out accounts and reorganizing the mail. Under his charge the paseo del Prado was laid out with its fountains, the paving and sewers were tended, and theatre life was regulated. From that side of his work he left a singular book, his Memorias cronológicas sobre el origen de la representación de comedias en España. Though among the best-paid officials in town, he died short of money and with a reputation for honesty. His street lies in Arganzuela, between paseo de Santa María de la Cabeza and ronda de Valencia.