History of the Cayman Islands:
Grand Cayman’s Past

The modern history of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman and its sister islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, began with the Spanish — as so much of Caribbean history does.

Christopher Columbus discovered the islands in 1503 and for the next few centuries they were nominally Spanish and known as ‘Tortugas’ after the turtles that were the principal inhabitants.

History of the Cayman Islands – The English Arrive

The English Captain Francis Drake arrived in 1580 but stayed only long enough to kill enough meat for his ships’ crew. Not a great beginning but a shape of things to come. In 1670 the islands were ceded to England along with Jamaica.

Modern Grand Cayman history really starts from this date, hence the Cayman Islands’ national flag, the Blue Ensign. Sadly, nothing of the Spanish time survives.

The following photos are from a stone tablet in George Town that records Cayman Island history in more detail than I can. Click on any photo to bring up the Gallery.

The first capital of Grand Cayman was Bodden Town, named after the Bodden family who were early settlers. Boddentown was hard to defend from pirates (and the Spanish) and the old guard house and Gun Square are reminders of its turbulent past. In the the early years of the Twentieth Century, however, the capital was moved to George Town.

These were the ‘islands time forgot’ for centuries, right up until the last century in fact. Eradicating mosquitoes and, hence malaria, was the ‘kiss’ that woke this sleeping beauty. Since then Grand Cayman has boomed, though the sister islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are still pretty remote and quiet.

Celebrating Cayman’s past is the purpose of Pirates Week, a festival that runs through mid-November each year. The name says it all, this one is about cannons, cutlasses, hooks and eye-patches — as well as food, music, parades and all the other carnival stuff. If carnivals appeal, you might also want to visit Festivalpig.com, who has been to the world’s greatest festivals and has photos, secret tips and all the details you want. Getaway inspiration Guaranteed.

Another way to enjoy Cayman’s history is to visit the Cayman Islands’ Museum on the waterfront, at Hog Sty Bay, in George Town. It features audio-visual shows, a laser disc undersea exhibition, and natural and cultural history exhibits.

Return to Grand Cayman Island — the Present.

Return to Home Page from History of the Cayman Islands

or Search Grand Cayman Wanderer or the Web…. Search Grand Cayman Wanderer or the Web…. Here’s a quick way of finding what you’re looking for on Grand-Cayman-Wanderer.com, or anywhere on the web.

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Cayman Pictures

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Cayman Pictures

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Cayman Pictures

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