List of Corn Islands Tangible Cultural Heritage
The Corn Islands Tangible Cultural Heritage is a list of sites that are part of the local cultural and historical heritage. These are not officially declared by local, regional, or national authorities but were selected by the Virtual Library team based on the definition of Tangible Cultural Heritage and for awareness purposes.
Rock Wall: Located on the south side, in the South End neighbourhood, behind the municipal park. This site, as history tells, was built by the slaves to demarcate the property of their owners.
Slave Tomb: According to local tales, there are two or more slave tombs or graveyards on Great Corn Island, but the most known one that has been visited by locals is the one in South End. This resting spot is situated a few meters from the Rock Wall, where you can see several rocks lined up making reference to a burial spot.
Soul of the World: Located in Quinn Hill, in the heart of the children's playground, it was built in 2006 by the Spanish sculptor Rafael Trénor and his team. It represents one of the eight corners of the world, therefore, other monuments of similar geometric figures were built in other parts of the planet.
Long Bay: Located in South End, it is considered one of the widest beaches of Corn Island, known for the horse races that used to take place here. Generally, the waves at this beach are quite high and strong during most parts of the year. There are many local legends and myths that refer to this beach, one of the most common being Jacky Lantern. It is also believed that there is quicksand on some parts of this beach.
Old Breadfruit Tree: Situated in the neighborhood of South End, in the courtyard of the Saint James Episcopal School. The Old Breadfruit Tree, or Oldest Breadfruit Tree as it is also called, has been standing and giving abundant fruit for more than 100 years, according to locals.
Southwest Bay: Located in the southeast point of the island, it is one of the most visited beaches. It is of great historical value because it was where Colonel Alexander McDonald, superintendent of the British crown in British Honduras, read in 1841 the emancipation act to free all slaves on the island. This beach is known for its serenity and white sand. Sometimes it is called picnic center or arenas beach, although they are simply the names of the establishments that are in this sector.
Mount Pleasant: The highest point of Corn Island, with 250 meters above sea level. From here, you can see the whole panorama of the island. In this place, there is a spot where the mud is red-orange, like clay mud. Little Corn Island can be seen perfectly from Mount Pleasant and on calm days you can even see some Keys off mainland Nicaragua. Locals believe that there is a cave inside this hill that is haunted. It is also where the first Maypole dance was performed on the island, according to historical accounts.
Springhole: Simply called Spring, it is located in Sally Peachie, at the foot of Little Hill, the Springhole is a site at the edge of the sea where fresh water comes out of the ground. It is said that this site has always existed and that in past decades the people of Sally Peachie would visit it to wash their clothes.
Bluff Point: One of the farthest sites from the center of Corn Island. It has several fruit vegetation and on the seashore, you can see various types of fish and the turquoise green of the sea. The site is known for some legends and tales of fear, such as Jacky Lantern and Pirates, among others.
Rocking Chair: Rock formation located at Bluff Point, near Bluff Beach. It is called Rocking Chair because of its peculiar shape that resembles a chair. Over the years, this rock has suffered deterioration due to several natural disasters, such as hurricanes.
Blowing Rock: Approximately 7 km off Bluff Point is Blowing Rock, a rock of volcanic origin in the Caribbean Sea with warm temperatures near its surroundings. This site is known for its variety of fish species and also for being one of the best diving spots on the Corn Islands.
Deroda Well: Located in South West Bay, at the foot of Quinn Hill, this well has existed for more than 300 years, according to locals. It is said that it was dug by pirates, although other versions affirm that it was by slaves.
Pirate Cannons in Brig Bay: These were rescued from the bottom of the sea by divers. They are located in Brig Bay Park. It is said that they belonged to a Spanish pirate ship.
Pirate Cannons in South End: These pair of canyons were also rescued from the bottom of the sea, off the shores of Woula Point. It is said that these belong to a pirate ship. These canyons are currently exhibited in the children's park in South End.
Norco: As it is known by islanders, it is an old steamship that transited between the two islands of Corn Island and was stuck on Sally Peachie's coral reef on March 25, 1964. Today, it is only possible to see what's left of this ship by diving. A few years ago, it was possible to see part of its remains from the seaside.
Ebenezer Baptist Church: Founded in 1852 by British Honduras (Belize) citizen, Reverend Edward Kelly. It is the first Christian institution building to be built on the Corn Islands. Apart from Evangelizing the people of Great Corn Island and Little Corn Island, the Ebenezer Baptist also founded the first school.
Emancipation from Slavery Statue: Constructed in 2016, this monument represents one of the most important events of the Corn Islands, which is the abolishment of slavery. It is located in Brig Bay, in front of the Culture House, and resembles three slaves, two men, and a female, with the chains on their hands broken.
First Rock: Located in the neighborhood of North End at Henny Point, this rock formation conserves a series of shapes, especially round ones, that were believed to have been made by Kukra Indians as an instrument for some of their daily needs related to crops or food. The original formation of this group of rocks is like a triangle, but with the erosion of the land the rocks are slowly sinking under water.
Bernard Bank: Situated in the neighborhood of North End, a few meters away from the Ebenezer Baptist Church. This land that is next to the seaside conserves a lot of historical meaning for the island because it was where the people of Corn Island institutionalized the emancipation from slavery feast or celebration in 1852 after Revered Edward Kelly suggested to the people of Corn Island to continue celebrating their ancestors' freedom that took place in 1841. This was specifically under a big fig tree in the yard of Ms. Teresa Lampson.
Flint Rock (Renkewitz): Various white rocks with archeological shapes and formations on them. This is situated at Bluff Point, where supposedly the first Moravian church was built on the island long before the Baptist mission. This church was built by the missionary M.M. Renkewitz, who was of German origin. This specific sector, where the rocks are located, is also known as Renkewitz. The rocks are also referred to by this name.
