The
Lucayan people were the indigenous people of the island, who called it
Abawana, meaning "the First Small Land"
. The Spanish later called it Amuana. Grand Turk was first colonised in 1681 by Bermudians, who set up the salt industry in the islands. For some time, at least until the early 19th century, Grand Turk was often referred to as Grand Cay. In 1754
HMS Jamaica and
HMS Shoreham voyaged through the
Windward Passage stopping at the islands along the way, searching for evidence of French settlements. While they found no French inhabitants on Grand Turk, they did find "Marks of Possession". The marks were described as "Crosses and large posts erected, to which were affixed copper plates, whereon were engraved the French King's Arms, and an inscription to this effect, 'The Continuation of the Possession of
Lewis XIVth, King of France, 1553.'" The British cut down the Marks of Possession, and to prevent any violence towards the Bermudians, Captain Julian Legge, thought to leave a declaration should the French return. "To prevent any violence being used to any of the people who live on Grand Key, Salt Key, or Seal Key, it is thought proper to leave this Declaration, that we cut down the Arms of the most Christian King, and the Crosses that were set up as Marks of Possession on the said Islands, and carried the same away, pursuant to instructions for so doing: And further, that his Britannick Majesty will not suffer any Marks of Possession to be put up, on any of the Keys or Islands known by the name of Turk's Islands. Dated the 21st of January, 1754." On 22 August HMS
Jamaica and
HMS Venus visited the island, "...they found a monument or column erected, 10 feet wide at the base, and 60 feet high, built of brick and soft mortar, with a square piece of marble fixed therein bearing this inscription, 'Homines as deos nulla re proprius accedunt quam Salutem Hominibus dando' [Men approach the gods in no way more proper than by giving Salutation to Men]; and over it, 'Phare de Choiseul' [Choiseul Lighthouse], in large letters of iron." Since it was determined the pillar could not be used in "Service to Trade and Naviation", and was believed it was to serve as a Mark of Possession it was undermined and destroyed within two hours. The pillar on Sand Key was believed it might be in service to shipping and was left standing. On Tuesday 24 September 1813 the island was hit by a hurricane which, "...totally destroyed above 120 dwelling-houses." Captain John C. Blackler of the brig
Washington, reported after leaving Grand Turk on 12 September 1815 he and his crew came across nine survivors from the ship
William and Nancy which had been destroyed in a hurricane on 31 August. The brig
Panopea of
Baltimore, ran aground on the reef surrounding Grand Turk the night of 24 December 1824. The crew was rescued, along with 1100 barrels of flour. On 19 August 1828 the vessel
William Mason was totally lost on Grand Turk, but the crew was saved. To aid British shipping, in September 1836, Britain declared Grand Turk a free port for the warehousing of goods. The British ship
Fasque was lost on 3 July 1838 on the island. The crew and part of the cargo was saved. On 16 August 1846 the brig
Madrid of Philadelphia wrecked on Grand Turk and was a total loss.
Grand Turk Lighthouse In was announced in November 1841, the intention to build six lighthouses on the "Turk's Island Passage". In 1851 it was announced the imperial government had granted £2000 towards the erection of a lighthouse on Grand Turk. The construction was set to be undertaken by the
Ordnance Department.
Grand Turk Lighthouse was erected in 1852 near northern end of the island. The lighthouse was designed by Alexander Gordon and built by Chance Brothers in England. It was shipped in pieces and assembled on Grand Turk. The lighthouse was reported to be completed on 1 October 1852.
Tourism and cruise industry Starting in the 1950s, Turks and Caicos began looking to entice the burgeoning tourism business to the islands. In 1956 the island passed an ordnance authorising an exemption from customs duties and tonnage tax of materials for use in building and equipping hotels. In the 1970s an advertising push began marketing the islands to Americans in the hope of drawing their attention. In 1977 round trip fares from Miami to Grand Turk were offered starting at $150. The Minister of tourism, Liam McGuire said, "[the beaches] may not be perfect, but they put a lot of others in the shade." In 1978 the company West Pacific Land Development Corp. began negotiating with Turks and Caicos to construct a casino on Grand Turk. The country turned to the UK for help in drawing up gambling legislation and supervision. At the time, the only gambling permitted was the use of
slot machines. In 2004
Carnival Cruise Line and Grand Turk, Chief Minister Michael Misick, announced the company would be building a $35 million cruise port on the island. ==Columbus landfall theory==