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Hope Town History
In
the late eighteen hundreds an attempt was made to cultivate pineapples
with the intent of exporting into the United States. Unpredictable
weather along with competition resulting from the annexation of
Hawaii eventually took its' toll on the pineapple industry. Unable
to compete with duty-free imports from Hawaii the pineapple industry
was destined not to succeed.
One industry that was thriving at this time was the sponging industry. This along with the building of schooners to transport freight and support the sponging industry provided some stability to the local economy. A decline in freight rates after the First world war combined with a fungus that destroyed most sponges in the western Atlantic resulted in both of these industries declining approaching the late thirties or the start of the Second world war. Tourism grew in the years following the war resulting in the building of homes, which benefited the local economy. Yachtsmen discovered the wonderful shelter of Hope Town harbour located in heart of one of the prime sailing destinations in the world. Today the Abacos beckons sailors and tourists from around the world. |
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