Of the more than 700 islands that make up the Bahamas archipelago, only fourteen of the Out Islands are occupied. Cat Island is the one that caught my attention. The beaches are beautiful, this much I knew. That is why I came. But I did not realize just how glorious. They rank right up there with any in the world. It is not just the pinkish sand but the turquoise water. And the puffy white clouds that hang suspended overhead.
Completely unexpected though, are the ruins, the abandoned buildings, scattered across the island. Cat Island is some fifty miles long but has a population of only 1500. People are lured to the promise of good paying jobs at the resorts and casinos on the touristy islands.
Old, abandoned slave quarters seem to be everywhere. These small, stone, usually roofless buildings are reminders of a bygone era. Slavery was abolished in the Bahamas in 1831. But these sturdy little stone ruins serve as a ominous reminder.
Also of architectural interest are several churches lying in ruins or boarded up and unused. Father Jerome, an architect and priest, who came to Cat Island in 1938, designed and built four churches including his Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Abandoned, contemporary homes also dot the main road.They have fallen into disrepair and are boarded up, some with personal belongings inside. As if the owners just walked out the door and never looked back. Probably the result of recent hurricanes.
The wind kicks in stronger, branches clatter. Or maybe skeletons. Bones of abandonment. Ghosts that will never be.” -― Ellen Hopkins
Cat Island’s only service station.
Colline
5 Mar 2014Those be he’s are paradise! Stunning photos of the abandoned buildings.
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014Thanks you Colline and thanks too for stopping by.
theamateurcamera
5 Mar 2014Wonderful set of photos! Gorgeous beaches and love the shot taken through the doorway!
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014Thanks Tracey. We had a great time there and are hoping to return.
tomabrun
5 Mar 2014Amazing azure water color 🙂
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014Thank you.
Madhu
5 Mar 2014Love this gallery Ron. That beach is heartstoppingly beautiful!
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014The beaches are truly beautiful but the economics of have to leave to make a living is saddening. Thanks Madhu
westseventhfreelance
5 Mar 2014Ship wreck me…please. Super shots for sore Minnesota eyes…
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014A lot of us feel that way. Thanks for visiting and think spring.
SueBee and Kat
5 Mar 2014You really captured the spirits left from earlier sad times, great atmosphere shots. So interesting, and beautiful. ~SueBee
fotograffer
8 Mar 2014Thank you Suebee. It is a delightful place though a little melancholy.
evelynhill27
5 Mar 2014Abandoned buildings are my favorite! These look so beautiful!
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014Thank you Evelyn. They make me stop for a closer look too.
The Wanderlust Gene
5 Mar 2014The stories, the personal tragedies … and that placid, perfect water – the contrasts are extraordinary. 🙂
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014And that sums it up. Thanks Meredith.
Dalo 2013
6 Mar 2014Beautiful series of shots yet again Ron…and the writing giving great insight. The 2nd and 4th photos fascinate me because of the contrast and also a great feeling of hope with them both.
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014Thank you Randall. The contrast we found was surprising and completely unexpected.
Mabel Kwong
6 Mar 2014Simply stunning shots. Not a soul in sight. Yes, it’s an abandoned paradise alright!
fotograffer
6 Mar 2014You are right. Other than along the main road, we seldom saw anyone. Thanks for you comment an for stopping by.
Tina Schell
8 Mar 2014These are wonderful Ron. Two absolute favorites tho – the catholic church is priceless and the interior shot with the dresses is emotionally riveting. Well done as always!
fotograffer
9 Mar 2014The dresses stopped me cold. I couldn’t bring myself to step inside. It was an emotional moment. Thanks, as always Tina for you kind thoughts.
Cardinal Guzman
9 Mar 2014Nice collection of shots.
fotograffer
9 Mar 2014Thanks you Cardinal.
Indah Susanti
9 May 2014Beautiful review and photographs..simply stunning.
fotograffer
9 May 2014Thanks and thank you for visiting my blog.