CARSTAIRS
A little bit of History
In the center of the Bahamas, nestled in the Berry Islands, lies a beautiful six mile island named Big whale cay. Formerly the
exclusive domain of the extraordinary millionairess Marion (Joe) Carstairs.
This 850 acre island was fashioned into her personal
kingdom complete with winding roads, village, church and museum.
Carstairs, a lesbian who did her best to live as a man was a
champion speedboat racer who could fly her own plane and even drove
ambulances for the red cross during the first world
war. Carstairs a formidable character donned mens clothing, sported tatoos and of course kept her hair short. 35 years after she left
her island in the Bahamas people still talk about the Standard Oil
Heiress who inherited a immense fortune at a very young age.
Although it seemed that residing In the Bahamas afforded Carstairs
her unconventional lifestyle and a distinct tax advantage, the
project of developing Big Whale Cay employed hundreds of locals who
had been impoverished by the depression. She was a generous and
caring employer who was an activist in the betterment of the Bahamian
people.
Her employees included maids, laborers and a 200 man army she kept
busy maintaining the islands roads. One of her daily pastimes was
racing up and down her island In an assortment of sports cars and
motorcycles.
Carstairs was a gracious host who's guests included Marlene
Deitrich, Noel Coward, Rock Hudson and the Duke and Dutchess of
Windsor. It is said she would entertain her guests in her
fabulous "Great" house wearing tailored men's suits and after
dinner, retire with the men to imbibe brandy and cigars.
In the years Carstairs reigned on her island, indeed she dubbed
herself Queen of Whale Cay, she certainly enjoyed herself to the
fullest. From playing with her vast doll collection to raiding her
brothers neighboring island (Bird Cay), or playing hijinx on
unsuspecting tourists by capturing them and having her staff
pretend to be wild natives. She loved her island.
Unfortunately, over time, Carstairs developed serious hip problems
and had to give up her island to live out her days in Florida. She grew reclusive but happily lived to the ripe old age of 93.
Whale Cay island was sold in 1975 to a Canadian developer who had a vision
for the island which remains today. The beautiful Spanish styled
buildings that she built also remain, (now restored) and the island
has been subdivided into lots for luxury homes. A 4000 airstrip is now in service and a handfull of lot owners have built homes. The original Canadian developer died and the development
lay dormant for many years. Home owners have continued to enjoy
the island through this time and now it seems that the new American
owners are carrying through with the original idea of a private
island Estate.
Whale Cay is truly magical, there are few private properties available in the Bahamas for the opportunity of ownership. Untouched, large and spectacular with road access
and a private air strip, it offers a truly unique experience of peaceful escapism. |
