Fort Cairns Market Square

Fort Cairns is named after Lieutenant-Governor William Wellington Carins who served in the army from 1870 to 1874.  The Fort was completed in 1876 to protect the people of Orange Walk from Indian attacks and any enemy attempting to conquer this great land.  The fort consisted of a ditch which enclosed earthworks and was bounded by a wooden fence.  On the eastern side, where the Town Hall is presently located, there was a single gate closed by a drawbridge.  Defensive structures were built on the Southeast and Northwest corners so that the perimeter could be kept clear and divert intruders of cover and at the same time protect the soldiers from enemy fire.