Haulover Creek Area:

"The chief Military station was at the Haulover, and there the Superintendent resided. Had there been facilities for deepening the bar, so that vessels of large tonnage could enter the river, and repass when loaded; or, if the navigation of the more northern mouth of the Behze, which opens from the Haulover, were practicable, a more agreeable situation for a town could not have been desired. At present there is not a single building at the Haulover. The Government House, (the last remaining,) being a few years ago destroyed by fire ; nor does the least vestige remain of any except the ruins of three batteries, a part of whose works may still be partially traced, and a few dismounted guns, may still be seen."

Source: Honduras Almanac 1829

P.S. The "Haulover" that is being referring to in this excerpt has to do with the area where the Haulover Bridge is currently. The "bar" that is being referred to is the mount of the Belize River where it enters into the sea after the Haulover bridge. It seems that somewhere in this area was where the fist superintendents used to live prior to 1814 when the new Government House was built. Two forts were buit in this area by Superintendent Thomas Barrow in preparation for the battle of the St. Georges Caye. It was thought that the Spaniards were going to attack this area first.

Haulover Bridge is the longest bridge in Belize. If the Belize River mouth did not have a sand bar at the opening, this area would have been more developed. It would have still developed where it is, but we would have had more development in this area because the settlement had started in this area before it started in downtown. This is where the Superintendent's House was located as well as other settlers. It would be good to pinpoint where the Superintendent House was located. This is one of the reasons why during the preparation for the Battle of St. George's Caye Colonel Thomas Barrow built two of the four forts in this area.

Hector Silva: The Haulover bridge has its special features. It replaced the "Haulover Ferry." It is situated near a "Jewish Cemetery," it is also situated near one of the First British Military forts. The Haulover Bridge is a self lubricated bridge, on the side towards Belize City it has an oil receptacle, which must be kept full for lubrication, I don't know if it is functioning. My good old friend and Local Engineer, Mr. Francis Hecker Sr. introduced me to this bridge when I was appointed Minister of Works in 1964. He also introduced me to the mechanism of the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio.

Percival Thompson: The name explains itself. People and products were HAULED OVER on a barge by chain at first then cranked over by a wench. Floods brought silt and broken down trees that plugged the mouth of the river. I remember as a child seeing a 'drag line' or crane clearing the mouth of the river, that is how the little island got there.