Harold Christie

Sir Harold George Christie, CBE, known as H. G., was a Bahamian politician, realtor, developer and businessman. He was born into poverty on May 30th, 1896 as the eldest of 4 children and a descendant of Loyalist Adam Christie. H.G is known as "The Father of Bahamas Real Estate"[1]

Harold Christie
Born(1896-05-30)May 30, 1896
Nassau, Bahamas
DiedSeptember 25, 1973(1973-09-25) (aged 77)
Frankfurt, Germany
NationalityBahamian
OccupationReal Estate
Years active1922-1973

Early Life and Real Estate Business

H.G. 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.[2] 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.[3] [4]

H.G 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.[5]

Political Career

In 1927, H. G. was elected as a representative for the Abaco District and in 1935 he became the representative for Cat Island and served this district until he retired from Politics in 1966.[6]

Bahamas Airways Limited

H.G. 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 an hour and a half flight.[7] 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.[8]

Personal Life

Sir Harold married for the first time at age 63 to Virginia Campbell Johnson in 1959[9]. They had no biological children, Lady Christie had a son from a previous relationship.

Death

Sir Harold died on September 25, 1973, in Frankfurt, Germany, while on a business.

Legacy

H.G was honoured with a CBE in 1949 and a Knighthood in 1964[10]. Currently, H.G Christie Real Estate is the oldest and largest real estate company in The Bahamas.[11]

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References
  1. "Harold G. Christie- Bahamians".
  2. "Frank Holmes Christie CBE (1902 - 1978)".
  3. 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.
  4. "Location, Location, Location - The Bahamas' Pioneering Real Estate Firm H.G. Christie".
  5. "Sir Harold Christie Dies at 77".
  6. Bethell, A. Talbott (2008). The Early Settlers of the Bahamas and Colonists of North America. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 115.
  7. "Pan American Inaugurates New Plane Service To Nassau 1941".
  8. "Sir Harold Christie Dies at 77".
  9. "Harold G. Christie- Bahamians".
  10. "Our History".
  11. "Location, Location, Location - The Bahamas' Pioneering Real Estate Firm H.G. Christie".
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