Page 11 - AHATA

Friday 13 december 2024 locAl
A10

Forgotten gems

Open air movie theaters

which formed part of the
Esso Club, also known as
the Pan-Am Club. It was at
this theater that “Talkies”
were first streamed, mov-
ies with sound. This theater
mostly streamed American
blockbusters for the Ameri-
can expats, this way mak-
ing sure that these migrant
were not missing out on
entertainment from their
home land.

In the 1950’s and 60’s, Sa-
vaneta saw their own open
air theater, located in front
of the Marinier’s Kazerne
(Marine Barracks). This the-
ater was mostly visited by
the neighboring marines,
who didn’t have much
entertainment other than
movies at that time.
(Oranjestad)—During the bia in Oranjestad, which The last and most recent
span of over 100 years, is now where the Aruban open air theater was con-
Aruba only saw five open census office is located. structed in the form of a
air movie theatres. Now The theater was simple; it drive-in theater. A popular
practically obsolete on the only consisted of a screen, American concept, the
island, these theaters were and visitors had to bring Drive Inn located in Balashi
once frequently visited by their own chairs to enjoy was a hot spot for teenag- 2012, but was re-opened later. Nowadays you can
locals and migrants in the the popular silent movies of ers, who had the habit of during the pandemic in still see the stacked con-
20th century. the time. cramming all their friends in July 2020, where movies tainers when you drive near
one car to go see the mov- were streamed on a gigan- the bridge in Balashi.
The first open air theater American migrants who ies. For this phenomenon tic screen set up in front of
Source: “De kolibrie op de
was constructed in 1920 worked in the refinery and there was a separate price stacked containers. How- rots en meer over de geschie-
and was commissioned lived in the Lago Colony that you had to pay called ever, this nostalgic form of denis van Aruba” by Evert
by Shon Eduard (Eddy) de in Sero Colorado also had the “car crash”. entertainment did not last Bongers.
Veer. This theater was lo- their piece of the pie with very long as it was closed
cated at the Hotel Colom- their Open air Theatre, This theater closed around again only a year or two

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in When anyone refers to Fort then-reigning king of The
the middle of downtown Zoutman, they are actu- Netherlands, Willem III. Wil-
Oranjestad, situated right ally referring to two sepa- lem III Toren was originally
next to the government rate buildings that, over the a light tower, but after a re-
building “Cocolishi”, is one years, have been merged: quest from Lieutenant Gov-
of the oldest buildings of the fort and the tower. ernor Jan Helenus in 1866, it
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First That’s right, the iconic 5-sto- also became a bell tower.
constructed in 1796, this ry, squared tower was not The fort itself was originally
site has been used (or left part of the original structure constructed to protect
unused) in many ways and of the fort, and is actually the commerce bay of
have survived eras of war called “Willem III Toren”. Paardenbaai from pirates ment center points, includ- history of Oranjestad, offer-
and attempted disman- Constructed in 1867, this and other disreputable ing a tax and stamps office. ing a glance into how the
tling. tower was named after the characters roaming the For some time these two social culture of the town
Caribbean Sea. Unlike the buildings also housed a po- came to be. If you are in-
Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- lice precinct and jail, and terested in history and want
man had a more tumul- even experienced aban- to learn more about Aruba,
tuous past, including the donment until the Cultural then Fort Zoutman should
on-and-off reception of Center Aruba Foundation definitely be included into
unwanted members of the (CCA) petitioned for its your itinerary.
English military several times renovation in 1964, turning The museum is open Mon-
(The Netherlands was at the site into the Historic Mu- day to Friday from 9am-
constant war with England seum it currently is. 6pm, and Saturday from
back in the colonial era). Despite its small size, The 10am-2pm. q
Over the years, both the fort Historic Museum guards a
and the tower had func- rich depository of the com- Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
tioned as different govern- mercial, military and social by Jan Hartog.