A History of Calibishie   Tit bits from the memory of O. N. Theodore

For the benefit of the younger generation, I would like to draw your attention as far back to the late 20's, when this village was a much smaller area, then bounded on the South-West the Sweet River (or La Riviere Doue).

The Bay area was owned by land lords e.g Polin Bontiff, William Edwards alias William Route. At that time there were the houses of Polin Bontiff, Rebecca Dubique, Lucky Warrington & Francillia Edwards on the Bay area, with that of Soulute Lewis and Joseph Nion on the adjourning hillside total (6 houses) after the praising away of one of the two main land lords; their beneficiares began selling small house lots to various relatives and friends. Now you can see a populated area to this date.

(2) On the other hand at that time the Hampstead Estate owned by the late J. C. Mcintyre extended to the Sweet River (La Riviere Doue)

The Children of Calibishie had to travel as far as Hampstead, to attend school, which was housed at the Hampsted Methodist church on the same spot which it now stand.

The Roman Catholic Church member who was in the majority as far as Wesley to attend their church, some of whom had to rent or build small houses for their accommodation.

(3) Some times in the late 30's one lady by the name of Mary Boland grew beautiful Croton hedge, soon after other members here and there were hedges from the Sweet River bridge to the salt river bridge. The village was kept clear and became the Cleanest and most beautiful village in Dominica.

The feast of Saint Peter was celebrated annually here; and this brought people from all over Dominica to this feast.

A coconut thatched shed was built annually for the celebration. Later down the years the first village chapel was constructed and finally the present village church. This led the way for other villages on the out-skirts to construct the own village chapel and church.

Some time in the 40's, Government built a wooden-school building in the village, this relieved the burden of the children in this village. Later down the present concrete building was constructed. Community Development.

There had always been a level of Community Development work on a lesser organised degree in this village, in the line of self-help or coupe de main, in making garden, house construction when making foundation sites, framing, covering etc.

The actual planned Community Development work began with the help of Teacher Henkel Christian when working in this area. It began with Literacy Club, and Village Council. Villagers took upon the challenge to continue with Credit Union movement, following the steps of Roseau, and Portsmouth being the third Credit Union in the Island but the first Credit Union, and became the Second Credit Union to obtain life saving and loan protection insurance for its members.

Calibishie village can boast of being the first village to start a self-help road programme which have spread over the Island. Village buying club fisheries Co-operative

Attractive Spots

Port Lafin e.g Hell's Gate, Commonly known as the glass window. This was an arch in the rock. This arch caved in on the night of the 26^th of October 1956. Now it looks as an open door Tourists take a pleasure in stopping off to take snap pictures.

Village Extension

You may remember that I said that the village was bounding with the Hampsted Estate by the Sweet River on the South West? Now that boundary is extended to where is known as Savannah Hill (Morne Savanne) or Devils Corner.

That was because the former owner of the Hampsted had cultivated some flat Government land in the Hampstead river heights.

After the death of the owner J. C. Mcintyre there was still out-standing debts, because of the wither tip that affected all the lime cultivation.

The wife being aged felt that she could not continue to manage the Estate. She therefore passed it on to Government.

When Mr. R. B. Douglas purchased the Estate. Some time in the 40's, Government allowed the cultivated part in the heights to remain as part of the Estate and cut off an equivalent amount from the Sweet River where it bounded to Calibishie to Devils Corner or Morne Savanne.

An area was chosen to build the Calibishie Government School, Health Centre, Police Station, a Housing Scheme at Lima Ridge. Some Parts were sold, other parts were occupied by some villagers. Hence the extension of the Calibishie village.

Calibishie has always been a fishing village. In the earlier days the entrance by Sea was hazardous, the boats moved in and out in the area known as Grand Pass, whenever the sea was rough with ground swells or (Wad Marway) boats were sometimes overturned or filled with water when plying through the passage.

In 1945 there were about certain villagers approached Government to that effect. Government gave assistance in cash and dynamites.

A small passage at the end of the bay known as Lapass Frank was opened by the sea men and has become the gate where the boats can ply at all times in safety.

Through the Fisheries Co-operative which was mentioned earlier, a fisheries building pit up to house the co-operative, Recently Government came along to assist by putting up another building to house the fishermen's motor and tacklings and also dredged the shallow parts of the passage and put up Gabion Baskets to prevent erosion.

In the process of time assistance was received from a Donating Firm, and a group known as the marketing group constructed a building known as the Calibishie Market.

This market came in handy after hurricane David in August 1979. People from Portsmouth and other areas, came to the Calibishie Market on Saturdays to purchase ground provision, and what-ever else available. But unfortunately this trade did not last very long, because some sellers tried and succeeded to kill the goose that layed the GOLDEN EGG by selling articles at too high a price being more expensive that they would pay at their home market.

However their building still stand housing a shop, Meeting Place. Payment of Banana Sales, Butcher Shop and Receptions.

Now Calibishie has three (3) supermarkets, Bars and Restaurants and Lodgings.

It must also that the Napier Family who came to reside here in the early 30's donated a Library to the village in Honour of the late L. P. and Elma Napier. Unfortunate that building was destroyed by a landslide. The building was destroyed, but the MEMORY remains in the minds of those who knew about it.

O.N Theodore