In 1955, the second most populated city of the Bahamas was little more than a pine forest. There were no resorts, no flashing casino lights or jet-skiers zipping through the surf. Grand Bahama was one of least developed of The Islands of The Bahamas, a place where a few hundred people made their living off the sea, perhaps daydreaming of the days of Prohibition, when the island's economy boomed from smuggling liquor to the United States. No one could have imagined then that the island would become the quintessential tropical Caribbean playground.

No one, perhaps, except a man named Wallace Groves. Groves was an American financier from the state of Virginia who had been on the island since the mid-1940's. He owned a lumber company at Pineridge, and was keen to the possibilities of the island as a tourist destination. Less than a hundred miles away was the United States and its thriving post-war economy. American vacationers were already streaming into Cuba by the tens of thousands, and beautiful Grand Bahama, thought Groves, could be an alternative to the overcrowded beaches and casinos of Havana. And so in 1955 he approached the local government in the Bahamas with his idea to build a town that catered to both industry and tourists. Shortly after, a famous document known as the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was signed, and Freeport was born.

The Agreement granted 50,000 acres of land to Groves' company, The Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd., with an option of adding an additional 50,000. To encourage investment, it also freed the Port Authority from paying taxes on income, capital gains, real estate and private property until 1985 - a provision that has since been extended to the year 2054. Soon after the Agreement was signed, Groves began to enact his vision. He convinced the shipping tycoon D.K. Ludwig to construct a harbor, and in 1962 he brought in Canadian Louis Chesler to develop the tourist center of Lucaya.

Standing on the beach at Shoreline, looking to the horizon and listening to the surf roll in and out; you can share the same sight and sounds of famous pirates such as Blackbeard who once found safe harbour here. The early settlers and conquerors gave the island the name “Gran Bajamar” – great shallows – a term that eventually became the basis for the Islands of the Bahamas themselves. Great Britain claimed the Islands of the Bahamas in 1670 and it wasn’t for another 200 years before history started making its way onto Grand Bahama. For all of those who came in the days past; Grand Bahama has always been a place of rediscovery, revitalization and renewal.

Shoreline captures the history of its surrounding, reminiscent of the early days when settlers built island style homes ideally suited for the sub-tropical climate. The classic architecture dots the horizon like a pastel palette; recalling homes from the New England seacoast and the tropical nuances of the Caribbean. Shoreline paints the picture of a community based on yesterday’s roots and values.

Shoreline’s lagoon style pools and clubhouse provide the ideal space for family time, cookouts, picnics and water play. Just steps down to the beach you can build a sand castle or set the stage for some of the world’s best snorkeling, and boating.

From Shoreline you can take a day trip to a number of the other Bahama Islands, exploring some of the most beautiful waters in the world. With the comfort that home is always near, Shoreline is as much or as little as you want it to be.