Visitor Information Saba Conservation Foundation PO Box 18, The Bottom History of Saba Saba, Netherlands Antilles www.sabapark.org

Many Indian artifacts including pottery, shell tools, and carved stone tools have been recently discovered in the Spring Bay area. Remains of Indian foundations can also be found at Tent Bay. Today, most artifacts are stored in the city of Leiden, the Netherlands.

The Bottom was the first Before electricity arrived, street light were lit every night, except during full moon. established village on Saba Before Saba had a harbour, all cargo came and remains the designated ashore in small rowing boats. When seas were location for all civil services: calm Fort Bay was the place to land, but during government, hospital and rough seas the Ladder Bay was used. In 1947 police. the first car arrived, the road, at that time under constructing was finished in 1958. It took In the early days many houses nearly 15 years to build. had thatch roofs. These have The original steps that Sabans used to since been replaced by access the island are known as The wooden shingle, sinc or Ladder. Prior to the building of the Fort concrete, which are better able Bay harbour, goods were brought by boat to withstand the storms during to the rocky shore of the leeward coast. In 1887, the McNish Sulphur Mining Company For many years Saba remained relatively (Saba lace or Spanish lace) which survive the hurricane season. Sabans carried the cargo to the village by First plane lands on Saba in 1959 began work here employing over 100 Sabans. isolated from the outside world and people today as a Saba home-made product. foot up the nearly vertical stairway, which However, the mining venture ended within a created their own cottage industry to support consists of more than one thousand year. This old furnace is located on the bluff the economy. With the men away at sea, steep and narrow steps. The steps were overlooking Green Island near the Sulfur Mine. women developed a number of handcrafts hand-hewn from stone, and they were the only way to get from the sea to the island It was used to burn sulfur during the mining villages for many years. efforts.

1947 1970 500.000500.000 BC BC11751175 BC BCBC 16401640 18161816181619091909 1925 194719591959 196319631963 19701970 1972198719871987199219921992200220022002

500.000 BC Tent Bay. Many findings attest to Columbus first sighted Saba, the economy. Others farmed plots of navigation, boats were built on on Saba and rainwater continues correspondence course in road air-service from St.Maarten 1987 tremendously enhanced its the fact that the aggressive Carib island fell under Spanish rule for land on the mountain slopes, Saba at Tent Bay and Wells Bay. to be collected in cisterns. building, and under his began. It was named after the development. The diving industry almost 150 years, but The island of Saba was formed Indians were also on Saba during where conditions were suitable Some weighed as much as 60 supervision Sabans built The Minister of Finance and Welfare, The Saba Conservation has become a major source of as the top of a volcano that its early history. However, the colonisation was not attempted Road with their own hands. who had authorised the Foundation (SCF) was tourism, which in turn has led to until the Dutch arrived. From that for agricultural activity. Families gross tons. Schooners were 1925 became active during the middle Arawaks probably preceeded the time onwards, the island lived in small, thatched-roof later purchased in the United governmental financial established. The SCF is a non- an improved island economy. or late Pleistocene era. Saba is a Caribs and survived their frequently changed hands houses. Women spent their days States and sailed back to Saba to Donkeys were introduced on the 1947 assistance. Later, further profit organisation with a mission dormant volcano, and has not onslaught. between the English, Spanish, making straw hats and baking pursue the Caribbean trade. This island. The porters who had construction of The Road to preserve and manage Saba's 1992 erupted for about 5,000 years. French and Dutch. The Bottom bread, while the children found trade proved to be very made a living carrying supplies The first motor vehicle arrived on connected the airport to the natural and cultural heritage. was the first village established, were concerned that they would Saba. villages and harbour. Committed to the belief that a The Saba University School of 1493 numerous ways to create their profitable, and owners of these 1175 BC and a zigzag path from the sea be deprived of their livelihood. stronger island economy will Medicine was established as a own toys vessels became very wealthy. Christopher Columbus passed across boulders and cliffs led up The donkeys carried most of the 1958 1970 result from the sustainable use of joint project between the Island Hunters and gatherers, called Saba on his second expedition to from the sea to this so-called loads from the sea up the trail to Saba's rich and virtually Government and a group of 'valley'. Cibony, are considered to be the the New World. He mentioned 1909 1920 the settlements above. The entire road suitable for motor Electricity became available unspoiled resources, the medical educators from the earliest settlers on Saba. They that he had seen 'smoking Everything from lumber and vehicles was completed linking throughout the day, although it organisation meets the main United States. It trains medical 1816 The Government built three lived near Fort Bay, where recent volcanoes' during his voyages A navigation school was started furniture to food and medicines all the villages and the harbour. actually had been on the island expense of nature management. doctors and other health care cisterns next to the Roman radiocarbon samples show that and it is very possible that he by Frederick Simmons and lasted had to be hauled up the steep for almost a decade. Previously, The Saba National Marine Park professionals. The Saba Although most Sabans are Catholic Church in the village of the site is over 3,000 years old. was referring to Saba or one of until 1922. The original building trail in Fort Gut which was 1959 street lighting was by use of oil (SMP), which is administered by University School of Medicine descendants of the English and Hell's Gate to collect water for the neighbouring volcanic is still located in The Bottom. chosen as the best passageway lamps on ornamental lampposts. the SCF, was also established in contributes to the island's Irish, it was Holland that finally communal use. Obtaining 800 AD islands. Saba remained part of Seafaring was a very important from Fort Bay to The Bottom and An aircraft with pilot R my de The lamplighter would replenish 1987. Adventurous divers began economic growth and healthcare took possession of Saba. During drinking water had been a the Spanish Empire, until 1627 way of life for Sabans. Since the became the main route of local Haenen, from St. Barth's landed the paraffin oil and light the the island's diving business, but services. the early to mid-1800s, most of problem on the island as most The Arawak Indians migrated into when French adventurers and size of the island is only 13 commerce. on the island in an area that was lamps at sunset except during a the establishment of the SMP the male population went to sea people could not afford to build the Caribbean basin from South later in1629, English pirates square kilometres (five square made flat by removing big rocks full moon tremendously enhanced its 2002 and became highly skilled cisterns. They had to walk down America and built villages on started exploring all the miles), the only means of growth 1943 and filling in holes. This made the development. The diving industry fishermen and seamen. They treacherous mountain slopes to a Saba. They took shelter in caves Caribbean islands for settlement. construction of an airport 1972 has become a major source of A committee has been were gone for so long that Saba has been the sea. Despite many fresh water spring at Spring Bay, near Spring Bay. Many Indian A cement road from Fort Bay to possible. tourism, which in turn has led to established to formally request became known as the 'Island of tragedies, islanders still cling to which had been in use since the artifacts including pottery, shell 1640 The Bottom was completed. It The Leo A. Chance Pier was built an improved island economy. by UNESCO to declare Saba a World Women'. Until well into the 20th their heritage of rewards reaped first settlers arrived. They would tools, and carved stone tools was believed that a road could 1963 at Fort Bay. The pier the SCF, was also established in Heritage Site. Century, most men fished or from the sea and often boast to then have to climb back up to the have been recently discovered in The first European settlers were never be built on Saba because accommodates fishing boats, 1987. Adventurous divers began sailed on Saban vessels all over those who visit Saba of the many village carrying huge tubs of this area. Remains of Indian sent by the Dutch from the island of the steep terrain. Josephus The Juancho E. Yrausquin airport sailboats and small cruise ships. the island's diving business, but the Caribbean. They brought captains who were born on the water on their heads. Today, foundations can also be found at of St. Eustatius to take up 'Lambee' Hassell took a was constructed and a regular the establishment of the SMP residence on Saba. After much needed money to the local island. In the early days of there is still no perennial water Architecture

Mortise Tenon

to Hell's Gate 11 Felt laid over top portion of 1. Captain's Quarters -1910 each course 2. Floral Cottage - 1870 2 nails per shake 7 3. Poppies Cottage - 1870 4. Harry L. Johnson Museum - 1870 5. Bessies Cottage - 1850 Dowel 6. White Rose Cottage - 1850 18 7. Storm's Cottage - 1890 16 8. Bonnie Brae - 1870 Connected by means of mortise 9. Meadow-view - 1900 and tenon. 15 12 10. The Anglican Church - 1877 Double starter course 3 11. Weymouth Cottage - 1870 Sheeting 17 12. Roman Catholic Church - 1859 13. Effie's Cottage - 1910 Rafter to The Bottom 14. Carpenter's Cottage - 1887 9 8 15. Sloterdijk's House Creep-in Rafter 10 16. Scout's House 1890 Cut Back Edge 14 17. Green Shutters 1900 4 18. Rainbow Cottage Corner Brace 2 6 5 13 Corner Brace

1 Up-Right to Booby Hill

Corner braces and creep-in Double Starter Course Windwardside rafters

A leisurely walk through the villages of Saba is a great way to The building styles and features have been somewhat In the past, almost all building materials had to be imported changed over the years, but the different origins and cultural experience the island's cultural heritage. There are four aspects influenced by the degree of prosperity of the owner. Many men because there was a low supply of local timber and wood was influences of the first settlers have made it what it is today. The that set Saban architecture apart from other examples in the in Saban history took to the seafaring life. From their journeys, brought in by ship. Due to the lack of docking facilities, the cultural and architectural identity has been derived from a very Caribbean: the small size of the original one-story cottage, the they brought home new materials and new ideas from faraway lumber would be thrown overboard near Fort Bay, rowed mottled and diverse past with significant contributions strict scheme by which windows and doors are placed, the countries. The first European settlers who came to the ashore and carried up to the villages by donkey or manpower. originating from many other parts of the world. colour code that is voluntarily adhered to, and the excellent Caribbean brought building methods from their home Lumber for Hell's Gate was towed by rowboat all the way to condition in which the buildings have been kept. countries. On Saba, the predominant influence is that of the Cove Bay where it was then carried up to the village. It is A perfect example of the typical architectural style and British. The similarities include wood building techniques, believed that the Hell's Gate houses may be more rot and insect attributes on Saba is found at the Harry L. Johnson museum in The traditional Saban cottage is one story in height and made materials, shape, ground plan, and roof. English inspiration can resistant since the lumber was soaked in the salt water for the Windwardside. The house was built in 1840 and is of of timber-framed construction on a stone foundation. The still be seen through the present Saban architecture as well as almost half a day. sufficient size and scale for a small family. The original kitchen exterior walls are covered with white rectangular wooden heard through the English language that is spoken throughout is still intact and was built with the carved stone hearth for shingles. Sash-windows are provided with storm shutters that the island. Small private graveyards are commonly found in the Saban cooking and baking. To the side of the house lies a large cistern are generally painted green and white. Shingled roofs are gardens. The first European settlers adopted this tradition from for water gathering and just above that is the family graveyard. painted red, but through the years many dwellings have In the old days, most Saban houses had a fire hearth equipped the early Indian inhabitants that they met upon their arrival to Some fine antiques are displayed inside the museum. This replaced their original wooden shingles with galvanised roofing with a brick chimney. The wealthier people also had a brick the island. quaint cottage portrays many of the cultural influences that sheets. The typical 35 degree pitch of the roofs prevents oven. All cooking was done on wood fires until kerosene stoves make Saba unique. leakage through the shingles. Also, the customary mortise and and refrigerators were introduced in the late 1950s. Today, There is no running water on Saba so residents must gather tenor joints form rigid connections between up-rights, roof some of these old kitchens have still been preserved. In these rainwater in stone cisterns. Some of the cisterns have a beams, creep-in rafters, and corner-braces. These firm cases, the roof is usually hipped on one side with a gable end collecting basin while others are filled through roof gutters. structural conjunctions withstand strong forces, including on the side of the stone fireplace with its traditional chimney. Water conservation is extremely important on Saba and local winds caused by the yearly tropical storms and hurricanes. people rely on the rainfall for a regular water supply. Saba has