A brief history of Antigua

It was Christopher Columbus who, in 1493 named Antigua on his second visit to the New World. He named the island after Santa Maria de la Antigua of the cathedral of Seville in Spain. However the island was first settled about four thousand years ago, by the Siboneys or Stone People who had travelled to the island from South America. After the disappearance of the Siboneys, the Arawak Indians named the island Wadadli.

Latterly however, Antigua was permanently settled by the British as a colony in 1632 with a brief occupation by the French in 1666 until the island's independence in 1981. Sugar cane quickly became established as the main industry, fuelled by the importation of slaves who suffered appalling conditions. As the struggle for control of the Caribbean reached its peak in the 18th century, the British chose Antigua, probably due to its central location and excellent natural harbours, as their base. English Harbour, at the south of the island, defended by the fort at Shirley Heights became a busy port. Nelson's Dockyard has today been restored to its original splendour and is well worth a visit. However, in Nelson's day, a posting to Antigua was considered one of the most uncomfortable, due to the heat and humidity and Nelson, who was posted here in 1784 as a 26 year old lieutenant considered it 'an infernal hole'. (See Places to visit).

The influences left by the island?s colonial past can be found across Antigua reflecting the vast sums of money that were invested in the colonial era from the cultivation of sugar.

Tourism represents Antigua main industry, employing about one third of the population. Other industries include agriculture and some light industry.

Cricket in Antigua

No history of Antigua would be complete without mentioning Cricket. The sport was introduced by the British military in the 19th century and the 59th Foot Regiment formed the first club in 1842. For many years, cricket clubs were an exclusive preserve of the white colonial visitors, frequented by the rich planters and merchants, and often little more tyhan social clubs. Despite the snobbery, many West Indians took to the game, setting up makeshift pitches on the plantations and organising local matches.