West End, Grand Bahama, Bahamas - Hotel - postcard, stamp 1963 pmk

• Postcard

   

• Picture / Image:  Grand Baham Hotel and Country Club, West End, Grand Bahama
• Publisher: Hannau Colour 
• Postally used: yes
• Stamp:  Bahamas 6d 
• Postmark(s): West End 1963 cds
• Sent to:  Portland Pa, USA
• Notes / condition: 

Please ask if you need any other information and I will do the best I can to answer.

Image may be low res for illustrative purposes - if you need a higher definition image then please contact me and I may be able to send one. No cards have been trimmed (unless stated).

------------------------------------------------

Postage & Packing:

Postage and packing charge should be showing for your location (contact if not sure).

No additional charges for more than one postcard. You can buy as many postcards from me as you like and you will just pay the fee above once. Please wait for combined invoice. (If buying postcards with other things such as books, please contact or wait for invoice before paying).

Payment Methods:

UK - PayPal, Cheque (from UK bank) or postal order

Outside UK: PayPal ONLY (unless otherwise stated) please.   NO non-UK currency checks or money orders (sorry).

NOTE: All postcards are sent in brand new stiffened envelopes which I have bought for the task. These are specially made to protect postcards and you may be able to re-use them. In addition there are other costs to sending so the above charge is not just for the stamp!

I will give a full refund if you are not fully satisfied with the postcard.

----------------------------------------------

Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

*************

West End (also referred to as "Settlement Point"[1][2]) is the oldest town and westernmost settlement on the Bahamian island of Grand Bahama. It is the current capital of Grand Bahama, contrary to the popular belief that Freeport City is the capital of the island.[3] It is also the third largest settlement in The Bahamas.[4] There is one airport in West End, West End Airport, which serves mostly private aircraft. Since the 1950s, the settlement of West End has fluctuated with the rise and fall of the adjacent resort developments.

The Bahamas were first inhabited by the Lucayan people in 500-800 AD. It is unknown if the Lucayan people inhabited West End specifically. However, after the arrival of Columbus and Spanish explorers, the Lucayan people became extinct by 1520.

Records from West End show that the population in 1836 was only about 370 people, many of whom later abandoned the island for greater opportunities in Nassau. But in 1861 people flocked back to Grand Bahama because of an unexpected economic opportunity—the American Civil War. At the outbreak of the war, with the Confederate States of America under a strict Union embargo, smugglers operating out of West End were able to command hefty prices from the South for goods such as cotton, sugar, and weapons. As soon as the war ended, the economic boom ended as well, but it established strong ties between the Bahamas and the United States that still exist.

A second smuggling boom came a few decades later when the 18th Amendment prohibited alcohol in the United States. West End achieved notoriety as a rum-running[2] port during this prohibition. Warehouses, distilleries, bars, and supply stores sprang up all over West End. Eventually prohibition ended, the economy contracted and people started fishing again.[5]

Fishing and tourism remain the two major industries of the West End economy.

Fishing

West End is known for its fishing. The location allows sport fishing enthusiasts to easily access shallow or deep-water options within a few nautical miles.

The north side of the island is part of the Bahama Banks and has very shallow water, making it a popular destination for bonefishing. Legendary bonefish guide Israel Rolle, known as "Bonefish Folley", died in July 2012. He guided bonefishing clients like Ernest Hemingway, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Richard Nixon.[6] Local fishermen also catch mutton snapper, groupers, spiny lobster and conch. Northwest of West End is Memory Rock. Memory Rock is a large rock that is sticking out of the water in around 7-8 feet of water. Memory Rock is home to great spearfishing and yellowtail snapper fishing. The depth around MEmory Rock goes form 2,000 feet to 8 feet in under a mile. This makes for great wahoo trolling as well. In 100-40 feet has great grouper fishing. The shallower you get you can spearfish for mutton snapper, hogfish, spiny lobster (crawfish) and smaller groupers. In these shallow waters also sometimes hold conch. Conch is a shellfish that has a great taste when prepared correctly. The West End Settlement is known for its conch salad.

Around the tip of West End, the water on the south side of the island drops to a deep trench not far from the shoreline. The Gulf Stream runs through this trench, attracting big game fish to the smaller prey that are carried along. Offshore sport fishermen are drawn to the blue marlin, white marlin, yellow-fin and blue-fin tuna, sailfish, wahoo and dolphin (Mahi Mahi).

Tourism

West End is only 55 nautical miles from the Florida coast and has a long history as a resort destination because of its accessibility. For most boaters entering Bahamian waters from the United States, it is the first port of call. West End is also serviced by the local West End Airport and Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport.

Tourism and foreign investment have been attracted by the natural beauty of the beaches and water, the warm climate, British rule of law and a stable financial system (the currency is pegged to the US dollar).