Vacations Grand bahama island - Bahamas

Lying just 90 kilometres off the coast of Florida, Grand Bahama is the fourth largest, and one of the northernmost, islands of the Bahamas. The Spanish claimed this island after its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492, however showed little interest in it except as a resource for slaves. Due to the perilous shallow reefs that surround the island, few ships landed here. The few residents from this period even occasionally took to the art of wrecking, luring ships onto the reefs then scavenging the ships for supplies.

When the British took control of the Bahamas in 1670, the population of Grand Bahama Island began to grow. With the development of townships, pirates began to make their presence felt, using Grand Bahama Island as a base and once again taking advantage of the dangerous reefs. With the abolition of slavery in 1834, former slaves were granted the right to claim any uninhabited land on the island. This led to the establishment of towns such as Pinder’s Point, Russell Town, and Williams Town.

Another reason for the sudden increase in the population and prosperity was the American Civil War. Smugglers again took over the island, charging hefty prices for sugar, cotton, and weapons to the nearby Confederate States of America. Later, during the American prohibition, Grand Bahama’s inhabitants yet again reaped the profits, smuggling alcohol into the USA. Contemporary development did not really begin, however, until the 1955 establishment of Freeport. The Lucayan Harbour was constructed by shipping tycoon D.K. Ludwig, and Canadian Louis Chesler developed the tourist centre of Lucaya in 1962. Today, Grand Bahama Island’s economy is firmly based on tourism.

More Travel Guides in Bahamas:

Freeport (About 15 mi)

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