George Town history

The history of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, is inextricably linked to the maritime traditions and colonial past of the Caribbean. Although the islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus as early as 1503, a permanent settlement appeared here much later. The city, named in honour of the British King George III, began to take shape as a populated locality in the 18th century, with its official foundation and development occurring during the period of British rule.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first permanent residents on Grand Cayman appeared in the 1730s. George Town itself began to develop around Fort George, built approximately in 1790 to protect the harbour from attacks by pirates and privateers. This small historic centre, which has survived to this day, became the core of the future city. One of the oldest buildings in the city is the former post office, built in 1889, which served as the first postal facility on the islands.

Key Development Factors

The development of George Town was defined by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its position on the shore of a convenient natural harbour on the largest of the islands, Grand Cayman, made it a logistical and administrative hub.
• Maritime Trade: Initially, the economy was closely tied to navigation, shipbuilding, and turtle fishing, which is reflected in the exhibitions of the Cayman Islands National Museum.
• Political Status: As the capital of a British Overseas Territory, George Town concentrated administrative functions, which contributed to its growth.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Early George Town was a small settlement where life revolved around the port. The culture was formed under the influence of British settlers and African slaves, creating a unique Creole heritage. For a long time, the economy was based on natural resources, including the export of turtles and timber. Only in the second half of the 20th century, with the development of tourism and the transformation of the Cayman Islands into a global financial centre, did George Town acquire its modern appearance, becoming a city where historic buildings stand alongside the offices of international banks.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of George Town is inseparable from the history of the entire Cayman Islands. Below are the key dates that shaped the appearance and status of the city as the capital and an important centre of the Caribbean region.

• 1503 — Christopher Columbus discovers the islands during his fourth voyage to the New World, naming them Las Tortugas due to the abundance of turtles.
• 1670 — Under the Treaty of Madrid, the islands officially pass under the control of the British Crown as part of the Jamaican possessions.
• Circa 1734 — The first permanent settlements appear on Grand Cayman, becoming the foundation for the future George Town.
• 1780 — Construction is completed on Pedro St. James Castle, one of the oldest stone structures on the islands and the future meeting place of the first parliament.
• 1794 — The famous "Wreck of the Ten Sail" occurs, when local residents saved the crews of British merchant ships, becoming an important part of national folklore.
• 1802 — The first official census is conducted, recording 933 residents on Grand Cayman.
• 1831 — The Legislative Assembly is convened for the first time, marking the beginning of democratic governance on the islands.
• 1835 — Slavery is officially abolished, radically changing the social structure of society.
• 1863 — The Cayman Islands become an official dependency of Jamaica.
• 1959 — The islands receive their first constitution and cease to be a dependency of Jamaica.
• 1962 — Following Jamaica's independence, the Cayman Islands decide to remain under the direct administration of the United Kingdom.
• 1990 — The Cayman Islands National Museum opens in George Town, located in one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Main Stages of City Development

The path of George Town from a small sailors' settlement to a world-class modern financial centre is marked by several turning points. These events radically changed not only the external appearance of the city but also the lifestyle of its inhabitants, turning the capital into the economic heart of the archipelago.

• Construction of Fort George (1790)
  The erection of fortifications for protection against pirates and Spanish raiders was the starting point for the formation of the urban structure. Administrative buildings and trade shops began to concentrate around the fort, laying the foundation of the historic centre we see today.
• Opening of Owen Roberts Airport (1952)
  The launch of regular air services brought the Cayman Islands out of isolation. For the city, this meant the beginning of the tourism era: the first hotels appeared, the service sector began to develop, and urban infrastructure started adapting to the needs of travellers.
• Adoption of Banking Legislation (1966)
  A key moment in economic history. New laws allowed the city to attract foreign capital, leading to a construction boom. In the 1970s, the cityscape began to change rapidly: wooden structures were replaced by office buildings for banks and law firms, forming the modern business district.
• Modernisation of the Seaport (1970s)
  The expansion of the harbour and the construction of cruise terminals turned the city into one of the most popular stops for cruise liners in the Caribbean. This stimulated the development of retail trade in the coastal zone, where numerous duty-free shops and restaurants opened.
• Opening of the National Museum (1990)
  The restoration of the oldest government building (formerly a courthouse and jail) and its conversion into a museum became a symbol of recognising the value of their own history. This event secured the city's status not only as a business hub but also as the cultural centre of the country.
• Recovery after Hurricane Ivan (2004)
  The destructive element forced a review of urban planning regulations. The subsequent reconstruction was carried out taking into account stricter safety and sustainability standards, leading to a qualitative renewal of the residential and commercial stock, as well as improvements to the road network.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of George Town is a visual history of its transformation from a modest maritime settlement into one of the world's leading financial centres. You will not find Gothic or Baroque styles typical of old Europe here. Instead, the city's appearance was shaped by three key styles: traditional Caribbean, British Colonial, and modern.

Traditional Caymanian Architecture

Early buildings on the islands were erected in a simple and functional style known as "wattle and daub". Walls were created from woven branches, which were then covered with lime plaster made from burnt coral, and roofs were made from palm leaves. These houses were perfectly adapted to the hot and humid climate, but due to the impermanence of the materials, only reconstructions have survived to this day.

British Colonial Style

With the strengthening of British influence in the 18th and 19th centuries, the colonial style, adapted to Caribbean conditions, began to dominate in George Town. Its characteristic features include:

• Wooden Structures: Most buildings were constructed from wood, often raised above the ground for protection against floods and for better ventilation.
• Spacious Verandas: Wide covered galleries surrounded the house, protecting it from the sun and rain and serving as additional living space.
• Shutter-Blinds: Wooden louvred windows and doors ensured air circulation, keeping the interior cool.

A striking example of this style is the Cayman Islands National Museum building — one of the oldest surviving structures in George Town, originally serving as a courthouse. Also built in this style are the Peace Memorial Building and the old Public Library, the ceilings of which resemble the inverted hull of a ship — a tribute to the shipbuilder Captain Rayal Bodden.

Modern Architecture and Financial Boom

Starting from the 1960s, with the development of offshore business and tourism, George Town's architectural landscape began to change rapidly. Low-rise wooden structures were replaced by modern multi-storey buildings made of concrete and glass. Today, the city's business centre represents an ensemble of office complexes in the styles of modernism and postmodernism, housing the headquarters of hundreds of banks and law firms. These strict and functional buildings form the capital's modern skyline and symbolise its status as a global financial hub.

Distinguished Figures of George Town

The history of George Town and the entire Cayman Islands is inextricably linked to people who, through their labour, talent, and dedication to their homeland, made a significant contribution to its development. Below are some of the key figures whose lives and activities left a notable mark on politics, culture, and public life.

• James (Jim) Manoah Bodden (1930–1988) — Politician and the first National Hero of the Cayman Islands. He is considered one of the country's main modernisers. As Minister of Tourism and Aviation, he played a key role in the creation of the national airline, Cayman Airways, and the construction of Owen Roberts International Airport, which opened the islands to the world. A monument is erected in his honour in George Town.
• Sybil Ione McLaughlin (1928–2022) — Political figure and National Hero of the Cayman Islands. She went down in history as the first female Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in the Caymans and one of the first in the world, preceding the USA and the UK in this regard. In 1959, she was appointed Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, becoming the first woman to hold this post in the entire Commonwealth of Nations. Her contribution to the development of parliamentarism and public life was recognised with the highest national award in 1996.
• Gladwyn "Miss Lassie" Bush (1914–2003) — A self-taught artist in the style of intuitive art, whose work received global recognition. She began painting at the age of 62 after what she described as a "visionary experience". Her home in South Sound, the walls and furniture of which were completely painted with biblical and local motifs, has become a cultural heritage site and museum. "Miss Lassie's" works have been exhibited at international exhibitions and are in museum collections, including the American Visionary Art Museum.
• Dr. Roy Edison McTaggart (dates not specified in sources) — Politician, businessman, and philanthropist, declared a National Hero. He was the only dentist on the islands in his time and represented George Town in the legislature for over 35 years. He is best known for his role in the decision to retain the status of a British Crown Colony after Jamaica gained independence in 1962.
• Mary Evelyn Wood (dates not specified in sources) — A community leader and pioneer who dedicated her life to the development of her community. She became the first woman elected to the Legislative Assembly, as well as the first woman to serve on a jury on the islands. In her youth, she founded a school where she was the sole teacher.
• Roy Bodden (contemporary) — A renowned historian, writer, former politician, and President of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). He is the author of numerous books on the history and social development of the Cayman Islands, analysing the country's path from a colonial past to the status of a global financial centre. He is considered one of the leading public intellectuals whose works and speeches are aimed at preserving Caymanian identity in the context of globalisation.
• Selita Ebanks (born 1983) — A world-famous supermodel and philanthropist born in George Town. From 2005 to 2010, she was one of Victoria's Secret "Angels" and worked with leading global fashion brands. Ebanks is actively involved in charity work, having founded foundations to support youth in the Cayman Islands and educational programmes for women in Sierra Leone.