Corozal Town, Corozal, Belize — Central America

Fort Barlee

Corozal Town Historical Walk

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 18, 2017

1. Fort Barlee Marker

Inscription.
Fort Barlee
Fort Barlee was constructed in Corozal Town by Lieutenant Governor Frederick Palgrave Barlee (pictured here) in the late 1870's. The fort was built to protect British interests and Yucatecan settlers in Corozal during the latter years of the Guerra de Las Castas (Caste Wars) that was waged by the Cruzob (Santa Cruz) Maya in Yucatan Mexico and northern Belize. The fort had four gun turrets made of red bricks and wooden palisades that spanned the distance between the turrets. The bricks were originally used as ballast by ships that travelled from Great Britain to the West Indies and Belize. On their return, the ships were filled with mahogany and logwood.

Soldiers stationed at the fort were members of the British West India Regiment who mostly came from Jamaica and Barbados. At Fort Barlee, British Honduras was witness to some of the rare military incidences that helped shaped this country into what it is today.

The Corozal Public Hospital, along with doctors' and nurses' quarters was built inside the former compound in the early 1900's and was in use until Hurricane Janet in 1955 destroyed the structures. In the

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late 1950's government administrative buildings were constructed and are currently in use. Fort Barlee is the last standing fort in Belize.

Erected by National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). (Marker Number 7 of 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Man-Made Features • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 18° 23.533′ N, 88° 23.198′ W. Marker is in Corozal Town, Corozal. It is at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 1st Street North, on the left when traveling east on 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corozal Town, Corozal 7M102 L1XT1, Belize. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

Central America,

Mesoamerica,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

a Spanish colony,

and specifically a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Felipe Santiago Ricalde (within shouting distance

Fort Barlee marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 18, 2017

2. Fort Barlee marker detail

of this marker); Corozal Town Central Park (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Corozal Town Hall (about 90 meters away); Parish Office/Priest’s Residence/Xavier College (about 150 meters away); Her Majesty's Prison (about 210 meters away); Schofield Residence (about 240 meters away); House of Culture/Public Market (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Mr. Ignacio Filiberto Sabido Padilla (approx. 14.3 kilometers away in Mexico). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corozal Town.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 18, 2017

3. Fort Barlee Marker

The marker is to the left in this view of one of the remaining turrets mentioned in the marker text. The fort was being visited by a school group.

An additional Fort Barlee turret and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 18, 2017

4. An additional Fort Barlee turret and marker

This turret is one block north on 1st Street and includes an additional, probably earlier, marker with very similar text to the featured marker.

An additional, probably earlier, Fort Barlee Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 18, 2017

5. An additional, probably earlier, Fort Barlee Marker

This marker is at the intersection of 1st Street North and 6 Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 4, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.