Willem III Tower - Oranjestad, Aruba
Posted by: 
hykesj
N 12° 31.061 W 070° 02.147
19P E 387460 N 1384020
This former bell tower/lighthouse which has also served as a library, post office and police station, is now home to the Historical Museum of Aruba.
Waymark Code: WM1CD9K
Location: Aruba
Date Posted: 07/31/2025
Views: 0
Historic Fort Zoutman, which dates from the end of the 18th century, is the oldest structure on the island of Aruba. Its original purpose was to provide protection from the pirates who had infested the Caribbean at that time. The tower was added in the middle of the 19th century initially as a bell tower but a light was added almost immediately to mark the harbor. As a lighthouse, it continued in operation into the 1960s.
Over the years, the four-story structure, named for King William III of the Netherlands, has served as a watchtower, a courtroom, a library, a post office and a police station. A clock was added in the 1930s. Today, the historic fort is one of the main tourist attractions on Aruba and houses a history museum. As a symbol of the island of Aruba, the Willem III tower has appeared on numerous postage stamps. This one, issued in 1958, dates from the time when Aruba was part of the Dutch Antilles.
Stamp Issuing Country: Netherlands Antilles
Date of Issue: 9-Jul-1958
Denomination: 30c
Color: brown & blue green
Stamp Type: Single Stamp
Relevant Web Site: Not listed
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