Peek into Cayman’s past with a visit to the heritage sites that are dotted around-island, working your way from East End to West Bay.

Here are a few examples:

Pedro St. James

Pedro St. James

This is an 18th century Caribbean great house, hailed as the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. Leaders of the day met at Pedro St. James in 1831 to form the first elected parliament on-island. It is sometimes referred to as Pedro Castle.

Pedro St. James is on a left turn as you leave Bodden Town and head towards George Town.

Wreck of the Ten Sail

Wreck of the Ten Sail

Located off the coast in East End, The Wreck of the Ten Sail is Grand Cayman’s most famous shipwreck. In 1794, 10 British Royal Navy ships ran aground on the reef at night. It is said that King George III granted the island tax-free status as a reward for the heroic efforts by locals to save lives. There are no records of this royal decree, however. A monument and park in East End mark this site.

Fort George

Overlooking George Town harbour, this historic fort was built by early settlers circa 1790 as a defence from attack by the Spanish who occupied neighbouring Cuba. During World War II, Fort George was used as a lookout post to watch for hostile ships, including German submarines.

Mission House

The Mission House

Overseen by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, this historic home, built in the 1800s, is one of the oldest-known dwellings in Cayman. Situated in Bodden Town, it was once home to Presbyterian missionaries and educators. The site offers a window to the past, where visitors can get a feel for how early settlers lived.

‘Mind’s Eye’ – Miss Lassie’s House

Miss Lassie’s house.

Situated in South Sound, this cottage is an icon of Caymanian tradition, culture and art. It was the home of visionary artist Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush, who began painting late in life. She created art inspired by Christian visions and Caymanian seafaring culture, which she saw in her ‘mind’s eye’. Her paintings adorn the walls, windows and ceilings of the little 19th century wattle-and-daub house.

Gun Square

Gun Square

Also in Bodden Town, Gun Square was situated to defend the settlement from pirates and Spanish marauders in days of yore. There are two 18th century cannons in the square.

Old Savannah Schoolhouse

This is a one-room, ironwood-posted schoolhouse which opened in 1940.

Old Savannah Schoolhouse

The desks, ink bottles, ‘dip-in’ pens and blackboard harken back to the days when it served as a small school for children aged 7 to 14 in the district of Savannah

Nurse Leila’s House

Constructed in 1917, this building in West Bay was home to nurse and midwife Irskie Leila Yates. The house is said to be the first wattle-and-daub home to have had glass windows installed.

Maritime Heritage Trail

Maritime Heritage Trail

This trail is an initiative by the Cayman Islands National Museum, in partnership with the National Trust. The driving route, detailed in a brochure available at both the Museum and Trust, highlights important maritime locations including sites linked to shipbuilding, turtling and shipwrecks.

TIP

Wreck of the Ten Sail

Those interested in Caymanian architecture of yesteryear might want to take a stroll through the historic neighbourhood of Boggy Sand Road in West Bay. Here, mixed in with modern beach houses, are charming old-time Caymanian cottages, some with traditional sand gardens and gingerbread trimmings, which evoke another era of the ‘islands that time forgot’.

For further information on heritage sites visit the National Trust for the Cayman Islands visitor centre at Dart Family Park on South Church Street, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, or go to nationaltrust.org.ky.