Alice Town history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Alice Town, the main settlement of North Bimini, dates back to the mid-19th century. It is believed that the town was named in honour of Princess Alice, the daughter of Queen Victoria, reflecting the region's colonial past and its close ties to the British Empire. Initially, the settlement was a modest village, with residents relying entirely on the gifts of the sea.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Alice Town from a quiet fishing community into a renowned centre for tourism and trade was driven by several important factors:

• Geographical proximity to the USA: Its location just 80 kilometres off the coast of Florida made the town a strategically important point.
• Marine industry: In the early years, the economy relied on so-called "wrecking" — salvaging cargo from ships that had run aground on the treacherous local reefs.
• The "Prohibition" Era: In the 1920s, Alice Town experienced a true economic boom, becoming a key hub for the transportation of goods between the islands and the mainland. This attracted investment to the town and fostered infrastructure development, including the construction of the first hotel.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The culture of early Alice Town was formed around the ocean and hospitality. By the 1930s, the town had gained the status of a global capital for deep-sea fishing. A special role in popularising the destination was played by the writer Ernest Hemingway, who lived here and drew inspiration for his novels. Thanks to this, Alice Town began to attract not only sport anglers but also creative intellectuals, forming the unique atmosphere of a relaxed island resort with a rich history.

Major Milestones in the History of Alice Town

• 1513 — Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León arrives at the Bimini islands, presumably in search of the legendary Fountain of Youth.
• 1848 — The arrival of Thomas Miller and a group of settlers, who laid the foundations of the town, is considered the official founding date.
• Mid-19th Century — The town receives the name Alice Town in honour of Princess Alice, daughter of the British Queen Victoria.
• 1920 — The enactment of "Prohibition" in the USA turns the town into a flourishing centre for logistics and trade.
• 1935 — The famous writer Ernest Hemingway visits the island for the first time and stays in Alice Town, inspired by the local fishing.
• 1947 — Michael Lerner opens the Lerner Marine Laboratory, attracting oceanologists from around the world to the town.
• 1967 — American politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr. chooses Bimini as his sanctuary, increasing the place's popularity among tourists.
• 1991 — The final scenes of the cult film "The Silence of the Lambs" are filmed in Alice Town, immortalising local views in cinema.
• 2006 — A devastating fire destroys the historic Compleat Angler hotel, which served as an unofficial Hemingway museum.
• 2013 — The launch of a high-speed ferry service to Florida and the opening of the Resorts World Bimini resort near the town give a new impulse to tourism development.

Stages of Urban and Economic Development

The history of Alice Town is a series of economic transformations, each changing the appearance and status of the town. Below are the key stages that defined the modern look of this settlement:

• The Era of Marine Salvage (19th Century). Initially, the town's economy was built on salvaging cargo from sunken ships ("wrecking"). This formed the first port and warehouse infrastructure, as well as laying the foundation for the wealth of local dynasties who later invested in the town's development.
• Infrastructure Boom of the "Prohibition" Era (1920–1933). The status as a transit point for goods to the USA led to the first construction boom. Substantial stone buildings appeared in Alice Town, wharves were expanded, and the first large trading shops opened, turning the village into a fully-fledged trading outpost.
• Rise as the Capital of Sport Fishing (1930–1950s). The popularisation of marlin fishing led to the creation of specialised tourism infrastructure. Famous marinas and lodges were built, such as the Bimini Big Game Club, which became major enterprises and the hallmark of Alice Town.
• Scientific Research Stage (1947–1970s). The opening of the Lerner Marine Laboratory not only attracted scientists but also facilitated the modernisation of utility networks. Thanks to the laboratory, electricity supply and communications in the town improved, which was rare for small islands at that time.
• Development of Seaplane Aviation (from the mid-20th Century). Regular seaplane flights (specifically by Chalk's Airline) directly into Alice Town harbour made the town an easily accessible weekend resort for Miami residents, which definitively reoriented the economy towards servicing short-term tourism.
• Modern Modernisation (21st Century). The opening of the major Resorts World complex on North Bimini gave impetus to the renewal of Alice Town itself. Roads were reconstructed (King’s Highway) and the port area was improved to receive high-speed ferries, significantly increasing the flow of day-trip tourists.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of Alice Town is dictated by the unique geography of North Bimini island — a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the lagoon. The town has a linear layout, formed around two main parallel roads: King’s Highway and Queen’s Highway. The entire architectural ensemble is characterised by low-rise buildings, vibrant colours, and a close connection to the sea.

Architectural Styles and Eras

It is difficult to find monumental styles like Gothic or Baroque in the appearance of Alice Town. Functional island architecture, adapted to the tropical climate, prevails here.

• Bahamian Vernacular (Colonial Style). The main style of historic buildings, characteristic of the late 19th — first half of the 20th century. These are small wooden or stone cottages with gabled roofs for ventilation, wide verandas, and shutters to protect against storms. Facades are traditionally painted in pastel tones: pink, blue, yellow.
• Resort Modernism of the Mid-20th Century. With the development of sport fishing in the 1940s–50s, more substantial concrete structures for hotels and marinas appeared. This style is characterised by simple forms, functionality, and an orientation towards water views (piers, open terraces).
• Eco-architecture and Artistry (Modernity). In recent decades, unique buildings have appeared in the town, constructed using recycled materials and natural elements, reflecting the trend towards eco-friendliness and distinctiveness.

Iconic Buildings and Places

The appearance of Alice Town is formed not by palaces, but by atmospheric buildings with history that have become legends among travellers:

• Dolphin House. A unique example of "living" architecture and local artistry. The building was constructed by historian and artist Ashley Saunders from materials found on the island and in the ocean: shells, sea glass, coral, and recycled concrete. This structure is a distinctive museum-monument to love for the ocean.
• Bimini Big Game Club. A complex that became a symbol of the golden age of sport fishing. Its architecture combines features of a classic Bahamian resort with elements of a marine club: white balustrades, open spaces, and a dominance of marine themes in the decor.
• Bimini Gateway. An arch welcoming tourists arriving by ferry, serving as an example of modern decorative architecture marking the entrance to the historic part of the town.
• Ruins of the Compleat Angler Hotel. Although the famous hotel where Hemingway lived burned down in 2006, its foundation and preserved elements remain an important part of the cultural landscape, reminding visitors of Alice Town's "Golden Age".

Legendary Names of Alice Town

The history of Alice Town is inextricably linked with the names of world-famous people who found inspiration, refuge, or a platform for scientific discoveries here. These personalities have forever inscribed this small island town onto the global cultural map.

• Ernest Hemingway — Writer, Nobel Prize Laureate
  In the 1930s, Hemingway made Alice Town his residence, staying at the "Blue Marlin" hotel (later the "Compleat Angler"). It was here that he worked on the novel "To Have and Have Not" and gathered ideas for the book "Islands in the Stream". His passion for marlin fishing turned the town into the world capital of sport fishing.
• Martin Luther King Jr. — Civil Rights Activist, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
  The great public figure visited Bimini to find peace and focus. It is believed that it was in the mangroves near Alice Town that he wrote drafts of his Nobel acceptance speech, and later — the speech in support of sanitation workers in Memphis, which became his final public address.
• Adam Clayton Powell Jr. — American Congressman and Pastor
  An influential politician from Harlem chose Alice Town as his home in the late 1960s. His presence attracted many tourists and press to the island, significantly raising the town's status as a fashionable resort.
• Ansil Saunders — Boatbuilder, Fishing Guide, and Activist
  A native of Bimini and a living legend of the island. He was Martin Luther King Jr.'s personal boat guide, showing him quiet places for reflection ("Bonefish Creek"). Saunders is also known as a master craftsman of traditional Bahamian boats.
• Michael Lerner — Scientist and Philanthropist
  Founder of the famous Lerner Marine Laboratory in 1947. His activities attracted leading oceanologists of the world to Alice Town and contributed to the technological development of the town, including the appearance of the first reliable power station.
• Ashley Saunders — Artist, Historian, and Architect
  A modern guardian of Bimini culture and brother of Ansil Saunders. He is known as the creator of the "Dolphin House" — a unique architectural object in Alice Town, and the author of major books on the history of the islands, preserving heritage for future generations.