Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas — Caribbean Region (Atlantic Ocean)

Hand-Cut Well

Photographed By Tyree Smith, May 11, 2019

1. Hand-Cut Well Marker

Inscription. Our hand-cut well measures 7.4 feet in diameter and has a depth of 74 feet. It is carved from solid limestone and is reminiscent of the Queen's Staircase sculpted between 1793 and 1794 by "slaves from solid rock with axes and other sharp hand tools". It is assumed that the well was also sculpted by slaves between the inception of the Buena Vista House in 1789 and the enactment of the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. More than 4,000 cubic feet of rock was displaced during its construction and contains 2 feet of fresh water.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 25° 4.479′ N, 77° 20.946′ W. Marker is in Nassau, New Providence. Marker can be reached from Augusta Street south of Delancy Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Delancy Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bahamas Memorial Cenotaph (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Bahamas Grant (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Fort Fincastle (approx. 1.1 kilometers away).

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Hand-Cut Well and Marker image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2023

2. Hand-Cut Well and Marker

Buena Vista House, site of the Hand-Cut Well and Marker image. Click for full size.

April 1, 2023

3. Buena Vista House, site of the Hand-Cut Well and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2019. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2019. 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2023, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.