Bodden Town
was one of the earliest settlements on Grand Cayman,
dating back to the late 17th Century. It was Grand Cayman’s
first capital town. It’s early pre-eminence over George
Town has been positively established by the legend – George Town was only a hamlet when Bodden Town
was a town.
As
a seat of government, it was the headquarters of many of the early native
“Governors” among whom were governors Wood, Webster, and the legendary and
indomitable William Bodden. History was made in Bodden Town
in 1831 when the decision was taken to form an elected assembly at Pedro Castle
on 5 December. Elections followed on 10 and the new Assembly passed the first
legislation on 31 December. The Island’s first public building, a courthouse
cum jail, was in Bodden
Town. Regrettably, this
was destroyed by a hurricane in 1944.
Mission House
Bodden Town
is home to the Guard House Hill, The Slave Wall, The Pirate Caves, The Mission
House, a monument erected in memory of Queen Victoria, Gun Square with relics of piracy, and
other attractions.
It
is rumoured that the famous pirate, Neal Walker (better known as Needle
Walker), made Bodden Town his headquarters and that he was a very close friend
of old Governor Wood. It is because of its close association with pirates why
it is firmly believed that much treasure is hidden along the coast and in caves
in Bodden Town. This discovery of a hole in the
ground for storing or hiding provisions was washed out in the vicinity of
Breakers many, many years ago.
“You’re
invited to come out and join us as we celebrate our district’s heritage day in
the Island’s first capital – you could
discover some of that lost treasure,” said organisers.
Quadrille
dance
There
will also be a quadrille dance at 4pm with the George Town Primary School
children, explained Robert Wood of the heritage committee.
“We
are going to have a really good day at the heritage grounds. The day is going
to be really cool and there’s so many different things going on. People should
come on down and see what’s on offer at the kids playground, Mission House, the
old people’s home and the grounds. We’ve got good, native local food, will be
cooking on the caboose and it’s good music, good times, good conversation. We
would like to thank everyone who has contributed to date including our sponsors
which include Cayman Foam Products, Tortuga Rum Co., Tony Conolly of Frank Hall
Homes, Cox Lumber, Gene Thompson of Thompson Group of Companies, Jonathon
Jackson and Crew of RPCU, ARCP and Digicel.”
Related Videos
