500,000 BC - The island of Saba was formed as the top of a volcano that became active during the middle of the late Pleisocene era (500,000yrs ago). Saba is a dormant volcano and has not erupted for about 5,000yrs.
1175 BC - Hunters and gathers called Cibony are considered to be the earliest settlers on Saba. They lived near Fort Bay where recent radiocarbon samples show that the site is over 3,000yrs old.
800 AD - Arawak Indians migrated into the Caribbean basin from South America and built villages on Saba.
1493 - Christopher Columbus passed Saba on his second expedition to the new world. Some say that he mentioned seeing “smoking volcanoes” during
this voyage and it’s possible that he was refering to Saba.
1816 - Holland took possession of Saba.
The Twentieth Century - Saba develops at a far greater speed:
1909 - A navigational school is started by Frederick Simmons to train young Saban men in the ways of the sea.
1920 - As Saba relied (and continues to rely!) on collected rainfall for it’s water, cisterns were constructed for individual homes and communal use as well.
1943 - The first stage of “The Road That Couldn’t Be Built” was completed. Josephus “Lambee” Hassell took a correspondence course in road building and under his supervision, over the next 15 years, the road was completed.
1963 - The Juancho E. Yrausquin airport is constructed on the site of the first landing and a regular air service begins.
1972 - The Leo A. Chance Pier was built at Fort Bay.
1987 - The Saba Conservation Foundation and Marine Park were established to preserve Saba’s terrestrial and marine environments.
1990 - The SCF acquired it’s own hyperbaric facility which is located at Fort Bay.
1998 - The Sulphur Mine property was donated to the SCF and has now been designated the National Park.
2006 - As The Netherlands Antilles is dissolved Saba chooses a closer association with the Netherlands rather than independence.
2007 - The SCF celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Conservation of Saba’s natural environment continues with your support!
