History

1503

Christopher Columbus noticed when he first arrived that the islands were surrounded by turtles, thus he named them "Las Tortugas." By 1530, the name "Caymanas" was used, derived from the Caribe word for crocodile because crocodiles now inhabited the island. The pronunciation over the years has changed to our current name "Cayman".

1670

England reigned sovereign over the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, which were formerly under Spanish rule.

1700

A few families started to call the Cayman Islands their permanent home. Some names you will recognize today.

1773

The Royal Navy surveyed the first map of the Cayman Islands. The population was about 400 residents, half slaves and half free.

1790

Fort George was constructed to defend Cayman shores from attack.

1794

Many ships ran aground at East End. The tale of this event is known as "The Wreck of The Ten Sail".

1830

The first missionaries arrived in the Cayman Islands and began construction on a church in George Town.

1831

Elections were held and the first legislation was passed. The population was about 2,000.

1835

The Emancipation Act of 1833 declared all slaves to be freed and therefore they were released in accordance with such law.

1920

Schools in all Cayman districts were mandatory by law.

1937

The beginning of tourism as the first cruise ship, The Atlantis, visits the islands.

1939 to 1945

The Caymanians formed a “Home Guard” during WWII.

1943

The USA set up a Navy Coast Guard patrol base.

1950

Hotel construction started on Seven Mile Beach.

1953

The first airstrip opened in Grand Cayman.

1959

The first written constitution granted women the vote.

1962

The Cayman Islands choose to remain a British Crown colony.

1966

Major banking legislation introduced.

1972

A new constitution is adopted for Grand Cayman.