Bodden Town: Cayman's First Capital
CAYMAN'S FIRST CAPITAL
Bodden Town served as the seat of Government for many years. Willian Bodden, one
of the most prominent men in early Caymanian history resided here and served as
Chief Magistrate or 'Custos' from 1798 until his death in 1823. However, from a
generation or so before he had been thought of as an unofficial 'Governor'.
During his administration the first schooner, roads, a place of worship and
forts at George Town and Prospect were built.
SITES OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
#1 Guard House
Although no one recalls there ever being 'House on this site reference is made
to a ‘Guard House' in Bodden Town in 'The Local Laws Of Grand Cayman” a
document produced during the 1930’s. Oral tradition has it that the site was
one of the former capital’s three lines of defence against invading pirate
marauders. The local ‘militia are believed to have manned the position and the
Guard house was their accomodation.
#2 Queen Victoria Monument
This monument was erected to the memory of Queen Victoria sometime between 1907
and 1912. In the 1920’s and 1930’s it was the regular meeting site for the
men of the district who gathered there to discuss politics. This tradition has
continued to modern times
#3 Slave Wall / Drummond’s Wall
The exact date for the construction of this wall is not known. Possibly it
predated the emancipation of slavery in the Cayman Islands which occurred in
1835. It is said that a slave of Spanish origin named Drummond supervised a
seven foot section which led to the wall often being called Drummond’s
Wall”.
#4 Gun Square
Gun Square is believed to be one of Bodden Town's two defence points, the other
being the Guard House at the western approach of the town. It was an important
battery as it overlooked one of the principal channels of the day. Two l8th
Century cannons are still located on the site. It is interesting to note that
their position, pointing downwards, is a recognized nautical tradition seen in
Europe and other West Indian Islands today.
#5 Meagre Bay Pond
Meagre Bay Pond, just east of Bodden Town was known as a source of teal and
mallard in the early 1900's, and as a place where large quantities of water
birds made their home. Once a popular hunting and shooting ground, the birds
deserted the area and only returned in recent years. Now it is a favourite spot
for watching resident and migratory birds.
The Government has now designated the area as an Animal Sanctuary This means
that it is illegal to hunt birds in the pond at any time as well as to disturb
the vegetation around the fringe of the pond.
This information was supplied by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. For
more information Tel (345)-949-0121 Fax (345)-949- 7494
