Sir Harold George Christie, CBE (30 May 1896 – 25 September 1973), known as H.G., was a Bahamian politician, realtor, developer and businessman. Christie is known as "The Father of Bahamas Real Estate".[1]
Harold Christie | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 30, 1896 Nassau, Bahamas |
| Died | September 25, 1973 (aged 77) Frankfurt, Germany |
| Occupation | Real Estate |
| Years active | 1922-1973 |
Early life and real estate business
editChristie was born into poverty as the eldest of four children and a descendant of Loyalist Adam Christie. Christie was enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in Canada during World War I. In 1922, he returned to the Bahamas to establish H.G. Christie Real Estate which began as a modest office, his brother Frank Homes Christie, CBE joined him in growing the company.
H.G Christie Real Estate is credited as the first real estate company to capitalise on the luxury market in the Bahamas and had a hand in almost all real estate developments in the country during his career, most notably Windermere Island in Eleuthera and Lyford Cay in New Providence.[2][3]
Christie is also credited in attracting well known investors to the Bahamas including Guy Baxter, Arthur Vining Davis, Wallace Groves, E. P. Taylor, Lord Beaverbrook and many others.[4]
Political career
editIn 1927, Christie was elected as a representative for the Abaco District and in 1935 he became the representative for Cat Island; he served this district until he retired from politics in 1966.[5]
Bahamas Airways Limited
editChristie and Sir Harry Oakes are credited with being the pioneers of commercial aviation in the Bahamas when they established Bahamas Airways Limited in 1936. Bahamas Airways was the first commercial airline in the Bahamas, growing the tourism and real estate sector. Flights allowed which was once a five-day journey by vessel to the Bahamas to just a ninety-minute flight.[6] The company started with a twin-engined Douglas DOLPHIN amphibious aircraft and in a few years graduated to four-engined Locheed Constellation and Boeing Stratocruiser airliners that made trans Atlantic flights. Bahamas Airways Limited ceased operations in 1969.[7]
Personal life
editIn 1959, Christie was married for the first time at age 63 to Virginia Campbell Johnson.[8] They had no biological children; Lady Christie had a son from a previous relationship.
Death
editChristie died on September 25, 1973, in Frankfurt, Germany, while on a business trip.
Legacy
editChristie was honoured with a CBE in 1949 and a knighthood in 1964.[9] Currently, H.G Christie Real Estate is the oldest and largest real estate company in The Bahamas.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Harold G. Christie- Bahamians".
- ^ Saunders, Gail (1998). Islanders In The Stream : A History of The Bahamian People Volume 2 : from the End of Slavery to the 20th Century. University of Georgia Press. p. 245. ISBN 0820319260.
- ^ "Location, Location, Location - The Bahamas' Pioneering Real Estate Firm H.G. Christie".
- ^ "Sir Harold Christie Dies at 77". The New York Times.
- ^ Bethell, A. Talbott (2008). The Early Settlers of the Bahamas and Colonists of North America. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 115.
- ^ "Pan American Inaugurates New Plane Service To Nassau 1941". 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Sir Harold Christie Dies at 77". The New York Times.
- ^ "Harold G. Christie- Bahamians".
- ^ "Our History".
- ^ "Location, Location, Location - The Bahamas' Pioneering Real Estate Firm H.G. Christie".