ANDROS ISLAND: Group Photos

The Island and Its People

Andros is the largest island of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and at more than 100 miles long and 40 miles wide, is the fifth largest in all the caribbean. Engulfed in a sense of mystery, the sparsely populated Andros is laced with creeks and has a densely forested inland. The island's western coast is still largely unexplored. History of Andros includes a colorful array of farming and fishing, Arawak Indians, European explorers and colonizers, slaves, pirates, bootleggers, and smugglers. Today, compared with other Bahamian islands, Andros has a much smaller population with fewer than 10,000 people. North Andros is home to more than half the population, a Mennonite missionary, few small resorts, and AUTEC, a NATO base run by the Navy. Androsians are friendly people and eager to share their lives and their views as guests visit their communities. Visitors who embrace the people of Andros and their culture will be richly rewarded and educated by the experience.

History of schoolhouse(now MAIC): In 1935 the people of Blanket Sound, Andros built a new school of block and lime up on a rock hill, with water on three sides. When the tide was high the children of Stafford Creek and Big Pond would travel to school by Mr. William Woodside's wood boat. If the tide was low he would carry them as far as the bay, and they would walk the rest of the way. The people of Andros have not gained much material wealth but the lives they lived are historically rich. The artisans are basket makers, boat builders, and woodcarvers but have lived many different lives in search of subsistence. Wisdom comes from these people who have chosen to labor and master craft. They have distinguished themselves from the crowd many years ago.