Situated along the western shore of the island of Guam, the municipality of Tamuning includes the census-designated villages of Apotgan, Harmon, Oka, Tumon, and the village of Tamuning. The original village was known as Apurgan or Apotgan, and was a major population center on the island of Guam.
However, the northern part of Guam was emptied of its population during the Spanish-Chamorro Wars of the late 1600s. For the next couple of centuries, the region was used for hunting, fishing, and ranching. Its repopulation began in 1849 when Governor Pablo Perez established the village of Tamuning as a place to relocate a group of settlers from the Caroline Islands whose homes had been destroyed by a typhoon.
When the island came under the control of the United States Navy in the early 1900s. the new governor relocated the Carolinian population to Saipan, on the Northern Mariana Islands. Under American governance, the Chamorro people began to move back into the area, establishing small villages. During the World War II Japanese occupation, villagers were at first allowed to remain in their homes, although Tumon Bay was fortified by the Japanese military and the Chamorro people were restricted from the coastal areas. However, before American forces retook the island in 1944, most of the people in this area had been forced into Japanese concentration camps.
When they returned to the area after the war, they found that their former homes and farmlands were part of the new Harmon Air Force Base and that much of the land in Tumon Bay had been designated an Army Air Corps recreation area, off-limits to the Chamorros. A conflict erupted in 1949 when the United States threatened to condemn the entire area. When a Chamorro by the name of Segundo Unpingco stood in front of the bulldozers with a shotgun, the condemnation was halted. After negotiations, portions of the area were returned to the local government of Guam. Nevertheless, by the 1980s, rapid development in the area surrounding the Air Force Base had changed life in the area so much that many of these residents relocated to other parts of the island, or to the United States mainland. Those who remained were no longer living in a rural area, as populations swelled with people from outside of the island, and Tamuning became the most ethnically diverse part of the island, as the Chamorros were joined with Filipinos, Hawaiians, and Asians.
Points of historical interest in Tamuning include San Vitores Monument, which commemorates the place where Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores was killed by the Chamorro chief Matapang in 1672. San Vitores is credited with bringing Roman Catholicism to Guam, and his death marked the beginning of the Spanish-Chamorro Wars. Other places of interest include Ypao Beach Park, the largest and oldest beach park on the island, as well as the Cushing Zoo, and Matapang Beach Park. Two Lover's Point is a picturesque cliff at the northern part of Tumon Bay. It was named after a legend that speaks of two lovers jumping to their deaths here, with their hair tied together, during the early Spanish period. Tamuning also includes the tourist district of Tumon and Guam Premier Outlets, one of the major shopping centers in Guam.
Recommended Resources
Billing itself as the oldest corporation on Guam, Atkins Kroll has been in operation since 1914, offering an inventory of new Toyota, Scion, Lexus, and Chevrolet vehicles, as well as a wide selection of used cars and trucks, which may be viewed here. Located on Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, directions and a map showing the location of the car lot, and its hours of operation, service and parts center, and rental options are given.
https://www.akguam.com/
Situated on Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, Guam, a few minutes from shopping centers, restaurants, beaches, and the A.B.j Wonpat Guam International Airport, the hotel features rooms with a dinette table and kitchenette, full-size refrigerator with freezer, microwave, and stove-top range. Room layouts and photographs are shown, and its room and car packages are highlighted.
http://www.gahguam.com/
Locally owned and situated in downtown Tumon, Guam, the hotel, and resort features a variety of guest accommodations, which are highlighted here, along with its own retail shops, restaurants, spa, and a water theme amusement park, which are discussed here and shown in photographs. Also featured are its banquet and meeting facilities, a list of amenities, rates, and online bookings.
https://www.guamplaza.com/
In business since 1997, GPO features a selection of shopping venues, restaurants, and entertainment centers in downtown Tamuning, Guam. Its location is shown on a map, and general information about the outlets are presented, along with a directory of stores, a calendar of events, holiday hours, and accessibility options, its playground, leasing, marketing and building operation contacts are included.
https://www.gpoguam.com/
Established in 1958, the dealership has been a Nissan dealership since 1988. Located on North Marine Corps Drive in Tamuning, Guam, the dealership’s location and hours are posted to the site, along with its sales and service hours, new and pre-owned inventory, and an overview of its service and parts departments, special offers, and finance policies, Rental cars may be reserved online.
http://www.nissanguam.com/
The board-certified orthodontic specialist provides dental services to children, adolescents, and adults at its location in Tamuning, Guam. A map and directions to the dental clinic is set forth, along with its hours of operation, appointment policies, and contacts. Memberships and qualifications are set forth, patient forms are available for downloading, and doctor reviews may be viewed online.
http://www.bracesguam.com/
Opening in 1960, the Roman Catholic elementary school admits students of all races, religious backgrounds, and ethnicities. Directions and a map show its location in Tamuning, Guam, and its curriculum, co-curricular activities, clubs, sports programs, and fundraisers are highlighted, with schedules and contacts. Faculty, staff, and administrative contacts, office hours, and announcements are included.
https://www.sacsguam.com/
The family operated long-term stay apartment complex features thirty-six units, including fully furnished studio rooms, requiring a one-year lease. Located on Charles Torres Street in Tamuning, Guam, the facility’s features and amenities are highlighted, along with office hours and contacts, policy information, and pricing. Photographs of the interior and exterior are presented.
http://www.tamuninglodge.com/
Located on South Marine Drive in Tamuning, Guam, the economy hotel promises low prices for quality accommodations, but without the frills. Directions, office hours and contacts are published to the site, along with an overview of its rooms, a list of amenities, photographs, rates, promotions and special offers. Reservations may be made through the site. A profile of Guam is included.
http://www.guamhotel.com/
