1936: “Bermuda, Garden Spot Of The Atlantic”
An early twentieth century article that precluded the building of Bermuda’s first passenger-based airport worked to get potential tourists excited about the prospect of visiting the island, paying Bermuda’s unique climate and people great homage in the process.
The article, published in June 1936, said, “Pan-American and Imperial Airways may soon make it a plane trip of several hours from Florida, as plans are being made for an island airport and regular passenger service from Miami. Bermuda has a quiet and bewitching beauty of its own.”
Continuing to focus on Bermuda’s natural beauty and unique locale, the articles goes on to say, “Here one finds no mountain peaks or tropical jungles, but a climate that is almost unrivalled, ranging from about 55 to 85 degrees; some of the finest bathing beaches in the world, with pink and white sand that is like face powder to the touch; turquoise skies, fields of stately lilies and a profusion of vivid sub-tropical vegetation.”
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The island’s relaxed lifestyle and lack of comparative commercial infrastructure at the time were also raised as positive selling points, with the potential for rest and relaxation touted heavily to those who were used to a more hectic existence.
“The ban on motor-driven vehicles and the absence of factories on the island have made it an oasis of calm to thousands of fugitives from the strain and clamor of big cities. Unlike many resorts, however, one can find in Bermuda almost all of the pleasures of an urban existence with none of the usual annoyances.”
Shopping opportunities are always a big hit with tourists, and that was similarly the case in 1936, with the article expounding upon the goods and services available in Hamilton.
“On Front Street, facing the anchorages of the big ships in Hamilton harbor, and on Queen and Reid Streets, are many fine shops catering to tourists. One can buy the best English sweaters, sports clothes, and material by the yard at H.A. and E. Smith’s or Trimingham’s for less than they would cost in London, and about half the price charged in New York.”
Ah, halcyon days!
This is when Bermuda was indeed *Another World*!!! Unfortunately, those days are gone forever!!!
Bermuda had been, “another world” yet it’s still somewhat “that other world”. Of course Bermuda is like every other place on the planet, it has changed though there are traits which we have retained over the years making Bermuda still “another world”:-)
Biggest takeaway from that article? Fifteen dollars for a case of whiskey
Fascinating article, in any case. Interesting that back in the day, the winter months appeared to be the ‘in-season’ for Bermuda. Maybe back then our proximity to the US was even more pronounced than say, the US to the West Indies.
Raymond Ray, you said it best!!