Bridgetown

Bridgetown, the capital of Barbadoes (q.v.), is situated on the west coast of the island along the north side of Carlisle Bay, which forms its roadstead. The inner harbour is protected by a breakwater known as the Mole Head. Founded in 1628, the town took the name Indian Bridge, and later its present appellation, from a rude aboriginal structure which spanned a neighbouring creek. The town was almost destroyed by fire in 1666, and again in 1766. In 1831 a part of Bridgetown was destroyed by a hurricane, and in 1845 it again suffered severely from fire. It is the residence of the Bishop of Barbadoes, has a college, several high-class schools, town-hall, government buildings, hospital, water-works, and jail. To the south are the barracks, with parade-ground and arsenal. A railway of 23 miles in length to the parish of St Andrew was completed in 1882. Pop. (1891) 21,000.