Ye Olde Gaol Sign, Bahamas

Ye Olde Gaol Sign, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas by Catherine Sherman.... more

by Catherine Sherman

Title

Ye Olde Gaol Sign, Bahamas

Artist

Catherine Sherman

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

"Ye Olde Gaol Sign, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas" by Catherine Sherman.

A weathered sign marks "Ye Olde Gaol" on Green Turtle Cay's bright pink jail building, built in the mid-19th century. The main building and some smaller buildings in the jail complex now sit empty on this peaceful island of about 500 residents in the Abacos of The Bahamas in the Caribbean.

Green Turtle Cay is one of the barrier islands off mainland Great Abaco The Bahamas. It can only be reached via ferry from the mainland or boat. It is considered part of the "Abaco Out Islands" and is 3 miles (4.8 km) long and ½ mile wide. It was named after the once abundant green turtles that inhabited the area. In 1977, Key West, Florida became a sister city to New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay's village. The island was settled by American colonists loyal to the British flag in the 1770s.

The main jail building in Green Turtle Cay was originally a two-story structure. However, during a 1932 hurricane, the jail was severely damaged, resulting in the upper level of the jail being destroyed. Following that, the jail was not rebuilt, but the Architectural Preservation Foundation of Green Turtle Cay has made the jail one of the many historical features of this community. In addition to its correctional duties, the building also served as the island’s original post office. The Commissioner’s Office was also based here, making Ye Olde Gaol the seat of government for all of North Abaco – pretty amazing considering Green Turtle’s small size and remote location.

This bright pink building sits on a main road in New Plymouth. The island’s only basketball court and the island's only cemetery, established more than 220 years ago, sit across the street.

Featured in "Signs" group (12/28/2017)

Uploaded

November 30th, 2017