When
I first made the commitment to post a monthly update online, I knew
there would be months, particularly while the book is new and recently
updated, when there would be little to report as far as actual
“updates”. That was why
I gave myself the latitude to be a little “foot loose and fancy
free” in this online column. I
promised that some months, we’d just have fun here.
This is one of those months.
As
I was doing the layout for the new edition, I had the opportunity to
review many old photos. Some
of them were used in our first or second editions, and many that were
never used. After 25 years
of publication, we’ve accumulated a lot of photos, looking at them was
fun, but a luxury which I
could not afford as the deadlines were approaching.
Now with the book out, newly update, and with no pressing need
for “updates”, I thought some of our visitors might enjoying seeing
some scenes from the past as much as I did.
This
first photo is an aerial of the old “Fin and Tonic”, the predecessor
to the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay. This
particular photo was published in our first edition in 1976. At that time, the “Fin and Tonic” had just closed.
It was later re-opened as the Abaco Inn, and maintained a
tradition of fine dining in Abaco. I found it interesting how little has changed after all of
these years. Those familiar
with White Sound will of course note that the dredged channel which now
goes south to the Sea Spray Resort, was of course not present in the
70’s.
Even
though this old photo of the Fin and Tonic is what inspired this
“Flash From the Past” article,
I decided to sort the photos in categories and post them by
geographic areas, starting with Nassau.
Another
classic watering hole has traditionally been Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar
in Green Turtle Cay. Here cruising sailors often would post tee
shirts, business cards, and occasionally bras or panties to the
walls. The Goombay Smash originated here.
Nassau
in the old days
Even
though Nassau has changed in many ways, and is much busier; it is
amazing how much it still looks the same.
This old shot shows the bridge to Paradise Island.
Note the lack of development on Paradise Island and the
conspicuous absence of cruise ships.
Of course the western span of the new bridge would be prominent
in a modern shot from this angle.
Fort
Charlotte
One
of the really fun things about visiting Nassau, is learning about all
the history here. The forts
are a part of that history that have been well preserved.
Note the old colonial flag.
Bay Street
Bay
Street is a little busier today, in fact I’ve never seen it quite this
deserted. Even the police
officers wouldn’t want to stand in the street to direct traffic. Is
that a ’71 Maverick in the street?
Shopping
"Island Style"
Casinos
The
Nassau casinos are a bit grander today, and a lot busier!
The
beaches are just as nice as ever, just a lot busier, and of course with
a lot more development.
Changing the Guards
This
wonderful tradition hasn’t changed much.
One could hardly tell that this photo wasn’t taken this year!
The
Fountain at Rawson Square
I
couldn’t quite bring back the colors on this one taken of the fountain
at Rawson Square, and decided the black and white had a nice effect.
Is that a ’63 Ford in the background?
Horse Drawn Carriages
Now
these folks have the right idea about how to tour historic Nassau.
The
Queen’s Staircase
Some
things never change!
