By Shavaughn Moss Guardian Lifestyles Editor
Copyright thenassauguardian
A symbol of resilience, innovation and history, that was intended as a vital communication tool in an era long before modern technology is celebrating 100 years.
Blue Lagoon Island is gearing up to celebrate the upcoming centennial of its iconic Watch Tower. Built in 1926 under the vision of Chicago architect Howard Shaw, the tower has stood for nearly a century. It remains an integral part of the island’s rich heritage.
“The Watch Tower is not just a structure — it’s a symbol of our island’s history of adventure and the remarkable individuals who shaped it,” said Robert Meister, managing director, Blue Lagoon Island. “We are thrilled to celebrate this landmark’s centennial and invite guests to join us in honoring its legacy.”
To mark the milestone, Blue Lagoon Island, will host a year-long series of events leading up to the official anniversary. Guests and history enthusiasts can follow along on social media for, exclusive historical insights, and interactive experiences celebrating the tower’s enduring legacy.
One of the first owners of the island on record, Abraham Van Winkle, constructed a rickety wooden watch tower intended as a vital communication tool in an era long before modern technology.
Winkle, the island’s history says, was the first to see the island for its tourism potential and dug the first narrow cut into the lagoon so that his boat could bring passengers from Nassau for a beach day for $1 per person. He also planted thousands of coconut trees that more than a hundred years later provide the tropical backdrop for many vacation photos.
The island was purchased in 1916 by John T. McCutcheon, a famed war correspondent and Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune.
Blue Lagoon Island’s history says the wooden tower eventually crumbled into the sea, and McCutcheon commissioned his father-in-law to build something that would stand the test of time.
The three-story tower, that remains intact nearly 100 years later, features three-foot-thick walls and was once used to signal for help using lanterns or burning coconut husks.
The tower has architectural significance as it was one of the final structures designed by Shaw before he passed away soon after it was completed.
Other notable buildings designed by Shaw, many of which have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States, include the United States Memorial Chapel in France; East Hill House and Carriage House in Riverdale, Iowa; Pullman Trust & Savings Bank in Pullman, Chicago; and the Lakeside Press Building in The Loop, Chicago. He was also the go-to architect for many years for homes in the upscale Lake Forest and Hyde Park neighborhoods in Chicago.
Blue Lagoon Island, home of Dolphin Encounters, is one of the top tourist attractions in The Bahamas. The private island features pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
Blue Lagoon Island inspires and engages guests to learn more about marine animals and to preserve and protect the extraordinary ocean environment through educational, sustainable, interactive and authentic Bahamian experiences. The island offers encounters with native dolphins, stingrays and nurse sharks as well as California sea lions, among many educational activities, including eco-nature walking tours that feature beautiful beaches, native flora and fauna.
Blue Lagoon Island stands at the forefront of animal care and environmental stewardship in The Bahamas. As the first facility in the country to achieve certification from the American Humane Certified status, with reaccreditation earned in March 2024. The island is also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Park and Aquariums and holds membership in the International Marine Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). Celebrated for its innovative educational programs, Blue Lagoon Island is a recipient of the prestigious Bahamian Caique Award and a proud member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), demonstrating its dedication to sustainable tourism and conservation.
