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BERRY ISLANDS HISTORY

Great Harbour Cay History

The original development of Great Harbour Cay began in the mid-1960s with a $38 million investment and the dream of creating a hideaway for a very privileged few. A trust held the majority of the island's real estate holdings over the last 25 years, until recently when Pristine Resorts Limited purchased the assets of the trust.

Great Harbour Cay's close proximity to the southeastern United States, combined with its unspoiled beauty and seeming remoteness, made it a tropical, private and very exclusive haven for the rich and famous during the late 1960s. Golf course designer Joe Lee fashioned an 18-hole championship golf course on rises of land that overlooked the sea. With over 125 golf courses designed in seven countries, Joe considered the original 18-hole, par 72-regulation golf course to be one of his best. A marina basin lined with waterfront town homes and luxurious yachts became the social centre of the community.

In the beginning, famous and some say the infamous, including Hollywood celebrities, came to play in this idyllic environment. Cary Grant danced the night away in the clubhouse. Brigitte Bardot graced the beaches with her beauty. Jack Nicklaus had a house on a hilltop along the back nine. Earl Blackwell, author of the celebrity best dressed list, enjoyed a home on the island. Great Harbour Cay was popular with the socially elite Rockefeller clan. Dame Margot Fonteyn, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Ingrid Bergman and Hugh O?Brian were regular visitors; Curt Jurgens also lived on the island.

Little Whale Cay History, Starring Marion (Joe) Carstairs

In the center of the Bahamas, nestled in the Berry Islands, lies a beautiful six mile island named Big whale cay. Formerly the exclusive domain of the extraordinary millionairess Marion (Joe) Carstairs. This 850 acre island was fashioned into her personal kingdom complete with winding roads, village, church and museum. Carstairs, a lesbian who did her best to live as a man was a champion speedboat racer who could fly her own plane and even drove ambulances for the red cross during the first world war. Carstairs a formidable character donned mens clothing, sported tatoos and of course kept her hair short. 35 years after she left her island in the Bahamas people still talk about the Standard Oil Heiress who inherited a immense fortune at a very young age. Although it seemed that residing In the Bahamas afforded Carstairs her unconventional lifestyle and a distinct tax advantage, the project of developing Big Whale Cay employed hundreds of locals who had been impoverished by the depression. She was a generous and caring employer who was an activist in the betterment of the Bahamian people.

Her employees included maids, laborers and a 200 man army she kept busy maintaining the islands roads. One of her daily pastimes was racing up and down her island In an assortment of sports cars and motorcycles.

Carstairs was a gracious host who's guests included Marlene Deitrich, Noel Coward, Rock Hudson and the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor. It is said she would entertain her guests in her fabulous "Great" house wearing tailored men's suits and after dinner, retire with the men to imbibe brandy and cigars. In the years Carstairs reigned on her island, indeed she dubbed herself Queen of Whale Cay, she certainly enjoyed herself to the fullest. From playing with her vast doll collection to raiding her brothers neighboring island (Bird Cay), or playing hijinx on unsuspecting tourists by capturing them and having her staff pretend to be wild natives. She loved her island. Unfortunately, over time, Carstairs developed serious hip problems and had to give up her island to live out her days in Florida. She grew reclusive but happily lived to the ripe old age of 93.

Whale Cay island was sold in 1975 to a Canadian developer who had a vision for the island which remains today. The beautiful Spanish styled buildings that she built also remain, (now restored) and the island has been subdivided into lots for luxury homes. A 4000 airstrip is now in service and a handfull of lot owners have built homes. The original Canadian developer died and the development lay dormant for many years. Home owners have continued to enjoy the island through this time and now it seems that the new American owners are carrying through with the original idea of a private island Estate.

Whale Cay is truly magical, there are few private properties available in the Bahamas for the opportunity of ownership. Untouched, large and spectacular with road access and a private air strip, it offers a truly unique experience of peaceful escapism.

Little Harbour Cay History

It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, and this is exactly what happened at Little Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas. Chester Darville and his family rode out hurricane Andrew in the settlement that was originally founded by his grandparents. The original houses were built in the late 1930's and the early 40's by the founding families to their own ideas, without plans, much like early American settlers. These houses, that were kept in good repair, escaped the fury of Andrew, unscathed. In the late 1980's several new houses were built in the village, by licensed builders from Nassau. They were all totally destroyed by Andrew. Unfortunately, Chester had decided to ride out the hurricane, with his family, in one of the new houses, instead of the older, tried and proven original houses built by his father. As the entire roof blew off, in one piece, walls began to blow away, the entire family retreated to the bathroom to ride out the rest of the blow. Not much different from the experiences reported from south Dade County, but at this point the story changes.

About a year and a half prior to the hurricane, Chester Darville had obtained a license to operate a bar and restaurant at Little Harbour, but like so many of us, he never got started on his "dream." The experience of Andrew built a fire under him, and he decided that this was going to be the first day of the rest of his life, a new life, without procrastination. He would clean up the wreckage of the village, and build his "dream," a bar and restaurant high up on a hill overlooking one of the prettiest and most picturesque harbours on the Bahamas. By early June 1993, Chester, with the help of a visiting yachtsman, had the frames up and was starting with the roof. He built several picnic tables, all equipped with colorful umbrellas, and is now serving very tasty meals under the stars. Food and service are excellent and everyone is welcome.

Chester is a volunteer of BASRA - the Bahama Air Sea Rescue Association - and always stands by on VHF Ch. 68 to be of service to visiting yachtsman. He is also an excellent pilot, fishing and snorkeling guide and is a very happy and cheerful person always ready to make your visit to Little Harbour a most enjoyable experience. His hospitality is hard to find anywhere today, and is very refreshing.

Boats drawing over three feet will have to wait on the tide to get into the harbour, and Chester is always happy to go out and meet you and pilot you in on the appropriate tide.

Any cruise to the Berry Islands would be incomplete without a visit to Flo's Conch Bar and Restaurant at Little Harbour. Chester named the restaurant after his mother - the cook - Florence.