These footages are amazing. It's great to see how far we have come here on Grand Bahama. History has it values.....let's keep Grand Bahama alive! Great footage.
This footage is amazing. I was born in 1980, lived in Freeport all my life and always wondered what it was like to see the beginning. Thanks for helping me with the visuals. :-)
I was part of the original construction crew during 1955, 1956, and 1957 as the Engineer of the sea-going tugboat "Hawksbill" which ferried materials by barge between the Grand Bahama Island and the US. The dredge in these pictures was the "Sea Haven" and the small tugboat shown towing the work barge was the "Hauler". I recognize Captain Charlie Philips, Troy Milligan and possible CW Philips in this footage. I have many fond memories as I met my future wfe on this island as she was the daughter of one of the workers from the US. We have been married going on 52 years.
In 1960, when I was 3, my family arrived in the Island. My father was in insurance, my aunt worked for the Hayward family and my brother, sister and I went to St Paul's school at various times between 1963 and 1970 when all 3 of us were sent home to England to finish our education! We lived in Amundsen Lane. I remember the first Burger King to open on the island, weekend trips to the beach, the incredible ongoing development of all parts of the island (Lucaya in particular) and my wonderful Bajan 'nanny' Ione Weekes! Precious childhood memories of a unique place. My father was into amateur dramatics and was President of the Freeport Players Guild during the construction an d opening of the Regent Theatre (not even sure if it's still there?). In 1973, my father moved to the Cayman Islands and finally came home to retire in 1984. But that's another story!
Hello, my name is Angela (I am using my husbands sign in ) and I lived on Grand Bahama in 1958/59 when I was 10. I am thrilled to see this video. We lived in Marco City. My father and colleagues worked on Grand Bahama as part of the Taylor Woodrow building group. I remember going to school in a tin hut with a corrugated roof until my father and friends had a ' new ' school built on land behind our house in Marco City. So many memories, I was so lucky to have been there at that time...I have photos and a video too somewhere. I am very interested to hear of anyone who remembers that far back...we lived there from May 1958 for about a year..
Peter Mosby Hi Angela ... if you’re on Facebook, you can type Freeport into the search line ... there are several groups there who reminisce about those good ole days! It was a special time, indeed! Nancy
Hello - Would you be willing to share the footage in an archivable format. I'm the daughter-in-law of Wallace Groves. I have all the original images of the development of Freeport, oral history of many of the early pioneers and would love to preserve this for the future. Thank you!
Margaret, See the first post of this list. I am Raymond Clark and worked on the building of the port during 1957 and until the first contract was over for the deepening (around 1959-60). I am interested in helping the history of Freeport. Email me at rsrayc@gmail.com. I am going to Freeport this fall.
Hi Nancy, I'm doing a family history for someone who's grandfather worked on Grand Bahama. The footage is very interesting. Can we begin a correspondence as I wonder - and hope - if you might be able to furnish some details. Best wishes, Rob McGlynn
I used to live here in or about 1966 used to to st paul school miss leach was our teacher been back a few times love this island any one remember grand bahama masonery my dad had it for a few years
Nancy Barrett hi nancy im paul Armitage we moved to Freeport in 1966 till 1969 miss leach was my teacher and mr Williams was the headmaster I can remember nick thornhill and a girl called alex drumond we used to live on pioneer way sad we had to return to the uk so soon I had some great times ive been back a few times since
Ms Barrett do you have any footage or pictures that can give an indication of the size of the pines that were being cut. Were they large or small. Photos of the roads unpaved and paved, the Rand Memorial the Fishing Hole Road and Settlements and Freetown.
Mr. Duncombe, it's quite possible we have some photos, but they are currently in another state. I don't know when I can get them, but will let you know if I find anything that fits with what you're requesting.
At about 17 minutes and forward you can see the slash pines cut and stacked to give you an idea of the diameter... they did a great job of screwing up your paradise.. congratulations...
John John Thanks John John. I was told that at one point there were pines that were at least two persons wide. Those in the footage look like what we have now. I know I have seen some in the forest that are large than those shown but not many.
These footages are amazing. It's great to see how far we have come here on Grand Bahama. History has it values.....let's keep Grand Bahama alive! Great footage.
This is the most amazing footage of the development of Grand Bahama ever seen. This is a documentary waiting to be done. EXCELLENT STUFF!
This footage is amazing. I was born in 1980, lived in Freeport all my life and always wondered what it was like to see the beginning. Thanks for helping me with the visuals. :-)
I was part of the original construction crew during 1955, 1956, and 1957 as the Engineer of the sea-going tugboat "Hawksbill" which ferried materials by barge between the Grand Bahama Island and the US. The dredge in these pictures was the "Sea Haven" and the small tugboat shown towing the work barge was the "Hauler". I recognize Captain Charlie Philips, Troy Milligan and possible CW Philips in this footage. I have many fond memories as I met my future wfe on this island as she was the daughter of one of the workers from the US. We have been married going on 52 years.
Raymond Clark what was the original harbour dept after the dredging was finished?
Donald Duncombe
I remember the figure of a 27 feet depth as a goal but the actual dredging target was between 27 and 30 feet.
Raymond Clark Thanks Raymond Clark. I met Peter Barret last week. He was the author of a book on Freeport Grand Bahama and a part of the development.
This is of great historical significance and can shed some light on the early days of the city.
In 1960, when I was 3, my family arrived in the Island. My father was in insurance, my aunt worked for the Hayward family and my brother, sister and I went to St Paul's school at various times between 1963 and 1970 when all 3 of us were sent home to England to finish our education! We lived in Amundsen Lane. I remember the first Burger King to open on the island, weekend trips to the beach, the incredible ongoing development of all parts of the island (Lucaya in particular) and my wonderful Bajan 'nanny' Ione Weekes! Precious childhood memories of a unique place. My father was into amateur dramatics and was President of the Freeport Players Guild during the construction an d opening of the Regent Theatre (not even sure if it's still there?). In 1973, my father moved to the Cayman Islands and finally came home to retire in 1984. But that's another story!
Paul the Regency Theatre is still in operation although because of the economy production are fewer than in earlier years.
Thanks for your input
Yes. The Regency Theatre is still here :-)
Hello, my name is Angela (I am using my husbands sign in ) and I lived on Grand Bahama in 1958/59 when I was 10. I am thrilled to see this video. We lived in Marco City. My father and colleagues worked on Grand Bahama as part of the Taylor Woodrow building group. I remember going to school in a tin hut with a corrugated roof until my father and friends had a ' new ' school built on land behind our house in Marco City. So many memories, I was so lucky to have been there at that time...I have photos and a video too somewhere. I am very interested to hear of anyone who remembers that far back...we lived there from May 1958 for about a year..
Peter Mosby Hi Angela ... if you’re on Facebook, you can type Freeport into the search line ... there are several groups there who reminisce about those good ole days! It was a special time, indeed! Nancy
Hi Angela, try this link ... facebook.com/groups/189763134456691/ or this one ... facebook.com/groups/93055452121/
Hope they work for you.
Nancy
Hello - Would you be willing to share the footage in an archivable format. I'm the daughter-in-law of Wallace Groves. I have all the original images of the development of Freeport, oral history of many of the early pioneers and would love to preserve this for the future. Thank you!
Margaret, See the first post of this list. I am Raymond Clark and worked on the building of the port during 1957 and until the first contract was over for the deepening (around 1959-60). I am interested in helping the history of Freeport. Email me at rsrayc@gmail.com. I am going to Freeport this fall.
I lived there from 1967 to 1969 lived in the middle of Bahama Reef golf course where my stepfather was the golf pro.
Hi Nancy, I'm doing a family history for someone who's grandfather worked on Grand Bahama. The footage is very interesting. Can we begin a correspondence as I wonder - and hope - if you might be able to furnish some details. Best wishes, Rob McGlynn
I used to live here in or about 1966 used to to st paul school miss leach was our teacher been back a few times love this island any one remember grand bahama masonery my dad had it for a few years
Hi Paul ... I too went to St Paul's School, from 1963 on into Freeport High. What's your surname? I was a Jordan.
Nancy Barrett hi nancy im paul Armitage we moved to Freeport in 1966 till 1969 miss leach was my teacher and mr Williams was the headmaster I can remember nick thornhill and a girl called alex drumond we used to live on pioneer way sad we had to return to the uk so soon I had some great times ive been back a few times since
Ms Barrett do you have any footage or pictures that can give an indication of the size of the pines that were being cut. Were they large or small. Photos of the roads unpaved and paved, the Rand Memorial the Fishing Hole Road and Settlements and Freetown.
Mr. Duncombe, it's quite possible we have some photos, but they are currently in another state. I don't know when I can get them, but will let you know if I find anything that fits with what you're requesting.
Thank you .
At about 17 minutes and forward you can see the slash pines cut and stacked to give you an idea of the diameter... they did a great job of screwing up your paradise.. congratulations...
John John Thanks John John. I was told that at one point there were pines that were at least two persons wide. Those in the footage look like what we have now. I know I have seen some in the forest that are large than those shown but not many.
Flannel shirts and long pants..