Neighborhoods of Corn Island

Historically, the Corn Islands only has 6 neighborhoods, which are divided into different sectors like streets, hills, lanes and landmarks. The following information is based on a series of interviews and historical analysis and seeks to give concrete information on the origin and meaning of the names of Corn Islands' neighborhoods.

Brig Bay: The largest neighborhood of the Corn Islands, considered the commercial and administrative center. This name comes from the sailing ships that used to anchor off the shores of Great Corn Island, especially in Brig Bay Harbor, since in past centuries it was common to see English and Spanish vessels anchored or passing by. The word Brig itself means "a type of sailing vessel with two or more rigs", the rig being what holds the sail up. 

Normally people tend to divide the neighborhood into two parts, Brig Bay I and Brig Bay II, but historically there is only one Brig Bay. The neighborhood starts from the north side, near Jackson Beach (where Beach View Hotel was), and goes all we way around to the big mango tree, a few meters away from the hospital.

The sectors that are part of Brig Bay are Passion Street, Mosquitoes Point (also called Padre Point), Carolyn Point, Jack Jelly Point, Woula Point, Coco Beach, Broad Bay, Promar, Southwest Bay, Hill Road, Breadfruit Lane, Egypt, Sweet Valley, Honduras and Vicente. There are other names or sectors that have emerged during the last few years, created by those who have migrated to the islands or by the same locals.

Quinn Hill: One of the oldest neighborhoods of Corn Islands, extending from Southwest Bay and Cowpen Bay upwards and from the curve where the old rock crusher machine was, in the Hill Road sector, upwards. The neighborhood, which is the second highest pike on the islands, name comes from the family Quinn, who first inhabited this part of the island. The first Quinn that lived on the hill was the English man Patrick Quinn, known for being a pirate. 

The sectors of Quinn Hill are Bluff Point, part of Southwest Bay, Bluff Point, Manganil Point, Manjanil Beach, Blowhole and Cowpen Bay. 

South End: Second-largest neighborhood of Corn Islands, and like Quinn Hill, it has a lot of history. The name comes from its location, South End is located on the South side of Great Corn Island. It is home to the Rock Wall, which was built by enslaved African descendants, the Old Breadfruit Tree, Pelican Rock, High Rock and the Slave Tomb. 

South End starts at the big mango tree, near the hospital, and ends at the road's entrance to Silver Sand Beach. South End's sectors are Solomon Hill, Christian Hill, Shallow Water Beach, Content Point, Rama Road, The Point, Siquia Point, Long Bay and also part of Mount Pleasant.

Sally Peachie: The smallest neighborhood on Great Corn Island, and also the quietest, next to Quinn Hill. It starts at the entrance of Silver Sand Beach and ends at the bridge before the entrance of Mr. Myers Cathrall's house.

The name Sally Peachie means happiness, Sally probably came from the nickname of an individual, this word also means fun or happy in slang English, Peachie on the other hand,  is the Creole way of spelling the English word Peachy, which means happy, goofy, great or very good.

Sally Peachie was home to musician Vertic Hodgson and other local composers, who in their time kept the area quite merry because of the music they played. In Sally Peachie the Springhole or Spring can be found, the only natural site of this kind on the islands.

The sectors of Sally Peachie are Coplin, Sandfly Bay, Heavy Sand Beach, Alligator Pond Beach, Little Hill and Rocky Point.

North End: Third-largest neighborhood of the Corn Islands and home to the first Baptist church and school in Nicaragua. It was also home to Hazel Bernard, who was the longest-living person on Corn Islands (1912-2022). North End begins at Jackson Beach (next to where Beach View Hotel was) and ends just past the entrance of Mr. Myers Cathrall's residence.

The name North End comes from the location of the neighborhood. Its sectors are Jackson Beach, Morgan Point, Connor Point,  Benard Bank, Bernard Beach, North End Bank, Toddy Point, Henny Beach, Henny Point, Bodden Point, Bodden Beach, Bradly Bush Road, Jolly Hill and Cuartel.

Little Corn Island: Historically, Little Corn Island is a neighborhood of Corn Island, but several years ago it was elevated to the category of urban community. It is named after the homonymous island and is home to more than a thousand people, it is also one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nicaragua.

Its main sectors are The Village, Carib Town, Majagua Beach, Cocal Beach, Gun Point Beach, among others. 

Most of the time the names of the neighborhoods are changed or others are annexed, but it is important to know and promote the original names since they harbor stories, as well as anecdotes of some of the most outstanding moments of local history.