As Belize commemorates the centennial anniversary of Baron Bliss’s arrival, a disturbing reality overshadows the celebrations. The Baron Bliss Lighthouse, which houses the tomb of the nation’s greatest benefactor and serves as a critical maritime navigation aid, is facing existential threats due to severe neglect and misuse.
The historic structure exhibits alarming structural deterioration, including a visible lean and a collapsing seawall. Instead of being treated as a national treasure, the site has degenerated into a venue for public drinking, drug use, and inappropriate sexual activities. Historian Nicholas Sanchez condemns the rampant public urination and vandalism occurring at the monument, noting that such disrespect would be unthinkable at comparable sites elsewhere in the world.
Sanchez emphasizes the lighthouse’s dual significance as both a historical landmark and an active maritime safety installation that guides vessels with its distinctive light pattern—two flashes every five seconds—preventing ships from running aground in shallow waters. The historian also highlights the concerning pattern of historical erasure through the repeated renaming of Baron Bliss Park, where the benefactor was initially interred before being moved to the lighthouse site.
The current state of the monument raises serious questions about Belize’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and honoring the legacy of the man whose substantial bequest continues to benefit the nation through the Baron Bliss Trust.