Mr. Austin T. Levy’s Hatchet Bay Farm Company owned and operated the Milk Stands which were strategically located on the Island of New Providence. Residents purchased fresh milk, eggs, chicken and ice-cream from the Milk Stands. On Saturday afternoons we would sometimes go to the Milk Stand on the corner of East Street and Mason’s Addition to buy our ice-cream treats that came in small white cardboard boxes, with flat wooden spoons. The Hatchet Bay Company changed hands in the seventies and eventually went out of business. Most of the Milk Stand buildings are still in use today as offices, small shops or “chicken shacks”. The building (above right) is the office of Mr Fernley Palmer, J.P. and legendary Boys Brigade Leader.
The Haynes Library photograph (bottom right) shows the modern retail stores that Mr levy built for the residents of Eleuthera. The buildings are no longer there.
© Copyright Rosemary C. Hanna 2013
Link to movie trailer: The Amazing Life & Times of Austin T. Levy by Kenneth Proudfoot
FOREWORD – Ms. Rosemary Hanna per your request, the following was my Facebook post, August 24, 2012. Some credit must go to my sister Attorney Andree’ (Pratt) Williams for her input.
The Hatchet Bay Milk-Stands – A brief history of these ‘milk-stands; they were strategically located were very popular [especially with kids] and were owned by the Hatchet Bay [Milk] Company, Eleuthera. All their products milk, ice cream, chicken and eggs they sold were fresh daily; as they were produced by their farms in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. Products arrived by the 52-Miles Mail-boat daily at their main offices and dock, at the company owned Levy Building between the Esso and Shell gas-stations on East Bay St.
These popular Milk-stands still standing including the one in this picture were in neighbourhoods around the Nassau city, others include: the ‘Green Milk-stand’ just to the bottom of Hawkins Hill in ‘The Valley’. Those on East St, the Dilly Tree at Mason Addition, Mr. Fernley Palmers office on East St and the one, a Chicken Shack just below Fowler St. Most persons know of the famous ‘Dirty’s Take-away on Nassau St.
These ‘building’ still standing but many more were destroyed, including Mackey St and Balls Lane both on Shirley St. Montrose Ave @ Small Park, Down-town Bay St opposite Mike’s Shoe Store, another on Meadow St and one on East St near Deveaux St. many homes did not have refrigerators, so fresh products were purchased daily.
The Hatchet Bay Company and its Eleuthera farms demise began when these same dairy and farm products were flown in from Florida and sold in newer super markets at a much cheaper price. However on my Facebook, oldbahama.com post, many persons shared their childhood experiences with these once famous neighbourhood ‘Milk Stands’.
https://www.facebook.com/112609982183747/photos/a.116508731793872.20532.112609982183747/269296053181805/?type=3&theater
Thank you Monte and Andree.
What a beautiful web site and history of New Providence! Thank you for sharing. I am sad we did not have an opportunity to meet with you during our documentary filming in the Bahamas this past March. I will let you know when the film is completed. Again, thank you for reaching out to me! -Ken
Thank you Kenneth.
Thank you Rosemary and my dear friend Monte for the article. I remember, and loved those milk stands, and their strawberry ice cream too (still trying to find items of that caliber today!). Best chicken, eggs, milk & ice cream. There was one right on our corner….. Mason’s Addition. There was also one on my way to school….. (Sands School (Eastern Prep) where my aunt was principal when I attended, Meryl Francis), it may have been on that corner, School Lane & Shirley Street. There was also one on Deveaux & East Streets. They were all over!! And well-built, as most are still standing….., and the Levy Building (Hatchet Bay bldg.) on East Bay.
You’re welcome Kay
Yes, loved those stands. See my comments on the post.
You’re welcome Kay.
The one on Frederick St used to sell the wonderful Tropicola in the long necked 16oz btl
Yes.