Colonel Hill — Loyalist Legacy Secrets

Your journey begins at the Colonel Hill Government Complex, the administrative heart of Crooked Island and Long Cay since the 1780s. It was here that the first Loyalist settlers laid the foundations of their new society. This complex, now modernized, still serves as a central point for local government services, testifying to the continuity of the organization initiated by these pioneers. The population of Colonel Hill, around 300 residents according to the 2010 census, perpetuates this historical presence.

A short walk from the complex, St. John's Anglican Church awaits. This Anglican church, built in the 19th century by descendants of British Loyalists who fled the United States after 1783, is an emblem of the Loyalist heritage in the Out Islands. It is the main place of worship for the Anglican community of Crooked Island, where generations have celebrated their faith and kept alive the traditions of their founding ancestors.

Colonel Hill Dock, a historic pier used since the 19th century, was a vital point for trade and maritime transport connecting Crooked Island to Nassau. Today, it is a key access point for local fishermen and ferries, facilitating exchanges with neighboring islands like Acklins. This dock tells the story of the commercial exchanges and connections that shaped the economic life of the Colonel Hill community over the centuries.

Your journey continues on Queen's Highway, the main road crossing Crooked Island from east to west. Named in honor of the British Crown in the 19th century, this paved road spans approximately 1.5 km around Colonel Hill, connecting the government complex to the dock and the airport. It is essential for accessing Loyalist sites and fishing activities, offering a perspective on the spatial organization of the island and the infrastructures developed by the settlers.

Crooked Island Airport (CBI), also named Colonel Hill Airport, located 2 km from the village, has been operational since the 1960s for charter flights. With its 1,500 m runway, it provides air links to Nassau and the Out Islands. This arrival point for tourists visiting the Loyalist heritage, though more recent, symbolizes the persistence of Crooked Island's ties to the outside world, extending the tradition of access and exchange initiated by the Loyalists centuries ago. Your exploration of Crooked Island will have immersed you in the heart of a story of resilience and foundation, that of the Loyalists of the Bahamas.