Matthew Town history

The history of the emergence of Matthew Town is inextricably linked to the industrial development of Great Inagua Island. As the only settlement on the island, it became the centre of the region's economic life long before the advent of modern tourism.

Foundation and First Mentions

The town was named in honour of George Matthew, who served as Governor of the colony from 1844 to 1849. It was in the mid-19th century, when The Bahamas were actively seeking paths for economic development, that an organised infrastructure began to form at the site of the future town. The official establishment of Matthew Town as an administrative centre coincided with the flourishing interest in the island's natural resources.

Key Factors of Development

The development of the settlement was defined by unique geographical and climatic conditions:

• Salt Production: This is the main factor that shaped the town. The hot sun and constant winds created an ideal environment for the natural evaporation of seawater. Matthew Town grew around extensive salt ponds (salinas), becoming the "salt capital" of the archipelago.
• Strategic Location: Located at the southern tip of the island chain, the town had convenient access to shipping lanes, which facilitated the export of "white gold" to North America.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Unlike many other Caribbean settlements focused on plantation agriculture, Matthew Town was formed as an industrial settlement. The economy depended entirely on the seasonal cycles of salt harvesting. This formed a distinct community of hardworking residents, and the town's architecture acquired features of the colonial style, adapted to the needs of salt company managers and workers.

The history of Matthew Town is a chronicle of the development of the salt industry and the resilience of the local people. Below are the key milestones that defined the modern appearance of this unique settlement.

• 1840s — A permanent settlement begins to form on the southern coast of Great Inagua Island around natural salt lakes.
• 1849 — The town officially receives its name in honour of George Matthew, the colony's Governor who ruled during this period.
• 1870 — Construction of the famous Great Inagua Lighthouse is completed, becoming an important navigational landmark and architectural symbol of the town.
• Late 19th Century — Matthew Town experiences a heyday as a port of call for steamships hiring locals as stevedores.
• Early 20th Century — Economic decline and population reduction due to falling salt prices and increased international competition.
• 1936 — The American Erickson family arrives on the island and introduces mechanisation, reviving the salt industry and saving the town from desolation.
• 1954 — Salt operations transfer to the ownership of Morton Salt, ensuring stable jobs and infrastructure development.
• 1965 — The creation of the Inagua National Park turns the town into a starting point for eco-tourists visiting The Bahamas to observe flamingos.
• 2008 — Hurricane Ike causes serious damage to the town's buildings, followed by a large-scale reconstruction programme.
• Present Time — The town continues to function as an industrial centre and a unique destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

The development of Matthew Town represents a unique example of how mono-industrial specialisation can shape an urban landscape and cultural code over centuries. The evolution of the settlement from scattered dwellings to an organised administrative centre is inextricably linked to the modernisation of salt extraction and the strategic position occupied by The Bahamas in the region.

Key milestones that defined the modern look and significance of the town:

• Formation of urban structure around salt ponds.
  Unlike chaotic developments, the layout of Matthew Town was initially dictated by the logistics of the salt trade. The creation of a system of canals and dykes in the mid-19th century not only provided an economic base but also defined the boundaries and vectors of expansion for residential quarters.
• Construction of the Great Inagua Lighthouse (1870).
  The appearance of this structure was critical for shipping safety. The lighthouse turned the town into a notable navigational landmark, contributed to the development of port trade, and became the main architectural symbol shaping the recognisable coastline silhouette.
• Technological Revolution of the 1930s ( The Erickson Era).
  The arrival of the American Erickson family was a turning point. The introduction of trucks and conveyors instead of manual labour, as well as the electrification of the town, radically changed the lifestyle of the population and brought productivity to an industrial level.
• Integration into the global market with Morton Salt (1954).
  The transfer of management to a large international corporation ensured long-term economic stability for the town. This event guaranteed jobs, support for social infrastructure (schools, hospitals), and cemented Matthew Town's status as one of the largest salt production centres in North America.
• Establishment of the Inagua National Park.
  The creation of a protected natural area transformed the cultural perception of the region. The town became a gateway for eco-tourism, and the protection of the flamingo population added the status of an important ecological centre to its industrial image.
• 21st Century Post-Hurricane Modernisation.
  Recovery from destructive hurricanes (particularly in 2008) led to the renewal of the housing stock. Modern construction is carried out taking into account stricter standards of resistance to the elements, which is changing the architectural appearance of the streets to be more reliable and modern.

The architectural appearance of Matthew Town was formed under the influence of two main factors: British colonial administration and the needs of the salt industry. Unlike the chaotic development of many island settlements, a clear urban planning logic can be traced here, established back in the mid-19th century.

Urban Planning and Layout

The town developed as an ordered structure with wide straight streets — a legacy of Governor George Matthew, who strove to create an exemplary administrative centre. The main axis of development is oriented towards the seaport and salt works, which emphasises the industrial character of the settlement. Residential quarters are positioned to make maximum use of natural ventilation from sea breezes.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Several key stylistic directions corresponding to the stages of its history can be distinguished in the buildings of Matthew Town:

• Colonial Style (Mid to Late 19th Century). Characterised by restrained monumentality and the use of local limestone. Buildings of this era were built with a large margin of safety for protection against hurricanes. The old prison and preserved elements of administrative buildings belong to this period.
• Caribbean Vernacular (19th–20th Centuries). Traditional residential architecture adapted to the tropical climate. Its distinctive features:
  • Wooden structures on stilts or high stone plinths for protection against floods.
  • Hipped roofs for efficient drainage of storm water.
  • Wooden louvres and shutters ensuring air circulation and protection from the scorching sun.
  • Pastel or bright colouring of facades, typical for the region where The Bahamas are located.
• Industrial Functionalism (from the 1930s). With the development of mechanised salt extraction, utilitarian industrial structures, warehouses, and port constructions appeared in the town, becoming an integral part of the urban landscape.

Landmark Structures

The unconditional architectural dominant feature is the Great Inagua Lighthouse. Erected in 1870, it represents a classic example of marine engineering architecture of that era. The snow-white stone tower, approximately 34 metres high, not only served as a navigational landmark but also became the visual centre around which the panorama of the town was formed.

The history and development of Matthew Town are inextricably linked with the activities of outstanding individuals whose efforts turned a remote settlement into an industrial centre and a cultural cradle of the region. The residents of the town, as well as those who governed it, made a significant contribution to the history preserved by The Bahamas.

Below is a list of key figures who had the greatest influence on the formation of the town and brought it fame beyond the archipelago:

• George Benvenuto Mathew
  Governor of the Bahamas (1844–1849)
  The man in whose honour the town is named. It was during his rule that the settlement received official status and a name. Matthew actively promoted the development of the salt industry on Inagua, seeing it as the economic future of the colony, and supported the creation of infrastructure for salt exports.
• Arthur Wentworth Erickson
  Entrepreneur, Industrialist
  A representative of the American Erickson family who arrived on the island in the 1930s. During a period of deep decline, he and his brothers introduced the mechanisation of salt extraction, built roads, and restored the economy of Matthew Town. His activities effectively saved the town from complete disappearance and laid the foundation for the arrival of the Morton Salt corporation.
• Alphonso "Blind Blake" Higgs
  Musician, Pioneer of the Goombay style
  An Inagua native who became a legend of Bahamian music. Although he spent most of his career in Nassau, his roots and musical traditions trace back to the culture of Matthew Town. His songs, combining Caribbean rhythms and folklore, became the calling card of the islands on the international stage in the mid-20th century.
• Mable Walker
  Educator, Suffragette, Public Figure
  Born in Matthew Town in 1902. She became one of the most influential women in the country's history, founding the Bahamas Union of Teachers and actively fighting for women's voting rights. Her life's journey began right here, in a family closely connected with the sea and trade.
• Vernon Joseph Symonette
  Politician, Speaker of the House of Assembly
  A native of Matthew Town who dedicated his life to public service. He held high posts in the government, including the position of Speaker of the House of Assembly, and always defended the interests of the residents of the remote southern islands, contributing to the modernisation of his hometown.