New Orleans and Blanco gave it the name Pontón Chetumal, in memory of the Maya name for the region. He left New Orleans in late 1897 and, after making stops in Progreso, Yucatan and Cozumel, arrived at the mouth of the Hondo River on 22 January 1898!

Othón P. Blanco quickly organized the garrison and ordered the clearing of the coast, covered with mangrove,