Although the history of the island reaches far into the distant
past, Grand Bahama Island didn’t come into its own until the 1950s with the development
of Freeport and Lucaya. Grand Bahama
 Island has quickly become an island of
cosmopolitan glitz and glamour, nestled within miles of beaches and endless seas. Only 55 miles from
the east coast of Florida, it has become one of the most visited of all the Bahamian
islands. Named by the Spanish -- "gran bajamar" means "great shallows" -- for its many
flats and shoals in the waters off the island, Grand Bahama Island is the fourth largest
of the islands.
The Lucayan Indians were thought to be some of the early dwellers of Grand Bahama Island --
and a recent dig along the eroding beachfront of Deadman’s Reef helped to answer many questions.
Unearthed from the dig were many artifacts belonging to the Lucayan Indians -- hearths, animal
bones, pottery pieces and shell beads. This discovery was dated back to around 1200-1300 AD.
Along with this site, the bones of pre-Columbian Lucayans were found in an underwater cave system,
indicating an ancient burial site. Both of these discoveries helped to confirm that the Lucayans were
among the first settlers of Grand Bahama Island.
Population: Approximately 41,000 |
