NASSAU, BAHAMAS (March 31, 2026) – Blue Lagoon Island officially marked a century of Bahamian history last week with the centennial rededication of its iconic Watch Tower. A special ceremony featured the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque and the release of a 100-year anniversary banner from the top of the three-story masonry structure.
Originally built in 1926 by noted Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, the tower received an interior spruce up this month to include a new internal stairway and reinforced flooring to welcome a new century of visitors. Descendants of the tower’s visionary, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and war correspondent John T. McCutcheon, joined local dignitaries for the blessing of the landmark.
“The Watch Tower stands as a sentinel of our past and a beacon for our future,” said Robert Meister, Managing Director of Blue Lagoon Island. “We honor the incredible history of the island by preserving this landmark from its days as a communication outpost to its role in inspiring Bahamian culture, while ensuring it remains a central part of the guest experience for the next hundred years.”
Latia Duncombe, Bahamas Director General of Tourism, addressed attendees and highlighted the role of heritage tourism in the destination: “Landmarks like this play an important role in our strategy. They ground us. They remind us that as we evolve, we must also preserve because the strength of our tourism product is not just in development, it’s in identity … but the place that we’re standing here today speaks to endurance. It speaks to relevance. And it also adds to this space in the Islands of The Bahamas — a unique, authentic part of paradise that our visitors seek to enjoy and also to explore.”
Following the ceremony, guests gathered at the renovated Serenity Cove, the island’s Adults-Only beach area, where Blue Lagoon Island showcased Bahamian-owned businesses as part of its sustainability efforts. Offerings included locally made bush teas, rum cakes and ice cream.
“Today we bridge the gap between honoring our history at the tower and introducing our guests to the bright future of the island here at Serenity Cove,” shared Meister. “This celebration isn’t just about a building; it’s about sharing Bahamian culture and the authentic spirit of The Bahamas with the world.”
The centennial celebration also highlights the tower’s connection to the world-famous folk song “Sloop John B.” The structure permanently houses two original artifacts from the vessel that inspired the song: a ring-bolt and a “knee of horseflesh.” Stones from Vendue House, Fort Charlotte, Fort Montagu and Fort Fincastle, along with artifacts from historical sites around the world, are also incorporated within the tower’s structure.
For the McCutcheon family, the Tower and surrounding island are deeply woven into generations of personal history. Shaw McCutcheon, grandson of original owner John T. McCutcheon and architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, recalls spending carefree childhood days exploring the landmark. “I remember climbing to the top as a kid and spending so much time there,” he said. “It’s remarkable that it has endured for more than a century and hopefully, it will stand for many more to come.”
Visitors are able to visit the Watch Tower and climb to the top for breathtaking views through a guided Eco-Nature Walking Tour.
For more information on the Watch Tower’s history or to book an experience, visit dolphinencounters.com or follow @BlueLagoonIsland @Bahamasbluelagoon on social media.
