The Belize Estate and Produce Company Ltd. Headquarters in Orange Walk on the banks of the New River long ago, also a 1925 ad for the company and a photo of its office in downtown Belize City
It was a Grand Ole House in its heyday, but here no more. The Belize Estate & Co Ltd. Headquartes in Orange Walk on the banks of the New River, by Riverside behind church. The building has been demolished for more than 20 years. There is a hotel across the street.
This is the very spot where the Battle of Orange Walk was fought in 1872 only in those days it was where the West India Regiment was located. As we know, one life was lost- Captain Belizaire.
Sir Barry Bowen, in the mid 80s, Belize Estate Company was brought by Belizean businessman Barry Bowen and subsequently divided into four parcel, one was purchased by Coca-Cola Foods, another by a pair of Texas businessmen, and the fourth by a consortium of conservation organizations and joined together to form the program for Belize. In 1988, this land became the Río Bravo Conservation Area, which covers some 202,000 acres(80,800 hectares).
Elena Cuellar:
That was my grandfather home.
Jean Burn Yates:
Seeing this, I thought of my Aunt Matilda's family who lived in Orange Walk from time to time. Her husband, my uncle, was the accountant for the Belize Estate & Produce Company and was stationed in Orange Walk from the 1940's until his retirement, I checked with their daughter today and she said that yes, that is where they lived in Orange Walk. Apparently, the first story was for offices and the sleeping accommodations were on the second story. The kitchen and dining area were in a separate building. She said that it is now a hotel. My uncle's name was Gerald Smith.
Osvaldo Moreno:
The inn that can be seen in the background still is there. If I'm not mistaken; it's right next door to the La Immaculada parish.
Monica Garcia Moody:
A Mr Harvey Jeffries use to work there.
JEAN BURN'S EXPERIENCES
THE BELIZE ESTATE & PRODUCE CO., BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS
1948 George William Burn my father took a job as Assistant Manager of the Belize Estate & Produce Company owned Cattle Ranch located at Banana Bank on the Belize River. We travelled by boat either the Minerva or Amy from Belize City to Banana Bank.
Picture of George W. Burn
My Granduncle Alvan Burn was the Manager of the Ranch at Banana Bank. My Granduncle Alvan had been the Manager from sometime during the 1930's to sometime in the 1950's when he retired.
Picture of Alvan Burn
Aerial Picture of The Belize River
The Banana Bank Village workers homes were spread out in the large pasture of Banana Bank. Some resided on the East Side of the Village and other on the West Side. There was the school which was located across the road from where we were residing. Then, there was the Steven family home where just the widow of Benjamin Steven lived with her daughter and son. The Burial ground was next which led into the Manager's quarters.
I learned that there were other pastures that were under the management of the Banana Bank Ranch at Tiger Creek, Salt Creek and Cocos. There were a few thousand heads of cattle raised in these four locations. Apparently, they were raised to be transported to the Logging Camp of Gallon Jug where there were slaughtered the meat distributed to the many loggers living in that Village.
I knew that my grandfather Patrick Burn did Supervise Mahogany Logging Camps and it could well have been in Gallon Jug. Dad did tell me that on his wedding day, his father had to leave immediately to take care of some disturbances happening with the workers occurring in the Logging Camp. I believe in those days that the Managers and Supervisors had to maintain law and order as there were no police officers in the villages. My Granduncle Alvan was a J.P. Apparently, before my time, I understand that there was a Police Officer and a Nurse living at Banana Bank but in my short time there, there was not. For my first year at Banana Bank, our teacher was Mrs. Vicki Herrera, and the second year Mrs. Nellie Tucker. Every morning Mrs. Tucker would ride from Roaring Creek where she lived with her family on horseback for school and return to her home in the evening.
All the homes were thatched roofs with cabbage slab siding. Unattached kitchens and Outdoor bathrooms. The manager's home was the only Colonial two-storey home. The kitchen there was thatched and not attached to the house. There was also a commissary--not too much of a variety of groceries. When we were there, I remember the village workers were very nice and respectful people. There were never any problems with them.
Picture of Patrick Burn
I believe my father felt that the accommodations should have improved for himself and the workers but he did not stay beyond the two years of 1948 and 1949. Perhaps my Granduncle should have approached the Company to put some funds into improving the housing condition.
My relative who lived in Banana Bank most of his life told me that when his father Benjamin Steven was alive, that Mrs. Glicksten and her husband upon their visits to the village, Mrs. Glicksten only wanted his father to take care of her when they went out riding. She always brought them bags of candy. Apparently, on the death of his father, the family was allowed to live on at Banana Bank with a small pension. I did not know that.
My grandfather, Douglas Steven, was also the supervisor of the Banana Bank Ranch until his death.
My second experience with the Belize Estate & Produce Co. came in 1958. I really cannot remember how I got the job, but I was hired as a stenographer in the office in Belize. For some strange reason I cannot remember looking that hard for a job after graduation from SCA; however I got a job and I went to work on my prom day. I remember that well. It is only by looking back at history did I understand why. It must have been because of my family's connection to the company. When I was there until May of 1961 before I moved to Canada, the Belize Estate Office was managed by a Mr. Hoare, then the two other Management assistants were Vivian Ackroyd and Gordon Rowe. They were Englishmen. Both Ackroyd and Rowe were married to local girls. Captain Milton was the dedicated land surveyor. Belize Estate then operated two logging operations in Gallon Jug and Mango Creek. They also had a sawmill in Belize City that was managed by a local fellow, Murray. They were also the agent for Cunard Lines and Lloyd's of London insurance. There were two English men working in that division with local Belizeans. Mr. Harvey Jeffreys, a local, was the office supervisor. A fine person he was.
Parties at Goffs Caye
Debbie Curling: Belize Estate used to have their annual family day outing to Goff’s Caye for their employees (early 70s-ish)? My dad worked there so I remember those Caye trips fondly.
They would use one of their big barges pulled by a tugboat, arrange seating around the perimeter with coverage at the top; bar at one end and stage area for the Boom & Chime band. They provided food and a full bar because Belize Estate was agent for Johnny Walker so you know the booze was flowing.
All the way out to the Caye the Boom & Chime band was kicking it; people dancing on board di eck up and giving us all kinds of footworks weh no goh soh! But it was all in good fun.
I remember one buzzed up guy shouted to his wife in his best Queen’s English, “Anna, meet me in the waaaatah!” Everybody just about fell out laughing.
Alas! It all grounded to a halt when too many people got drunk and started acting craycray on the high seas. Always a few who ruined it for everybody else, but it was fun while it lasted.
Derek Gabourel:
Mr Fuller band was playing on one of those trips at that time the band still had the tall string bass.
Brian Flowers:
My Dad Edward coordinated most of those. Was on many of those..Party Barge..other boats used to pass in amazement of di sounds coming from di brukdown....unforgettable times wit ma Family & friends.
The next four photos and text are by Jean Burn Yates and are about the parties at Goffs Caye: