Rawson Square, Nassau

Rawson Square has long served as one of the city’s principal civic spaces, closely tied to the development of colonial administration and public life. The square takes its name from Sir Rawson William Rawson, who governed the Bahamas between 1864 and 1869. From its early years, Rawson Square functioned as a setting for official ceremonies, public announcements, and everyday exchanges at the edge of the harbor.

The square sits at the intersection of several key institutional zones rather than being enclosed by a single architectural ensemble. To the north, it opens directly onto Bay Street, Nassau’s main commercial artery, while just across the road lies Parliament Square, home to the House of Assembly and other historic government buildings.

Within the square, several commemorative features reflect modern Bahamian history. A bronze bust of Sir Milo Butler, the country’s first Bahamian Governor-General, positioned near the central area of the square, stands as a reminder of the transition to self-governance. Nearby, a fountain honors Sir Stafford Sands, a prominent political figure of the mid-20th century. Although often associated in popular accounts with Christopher Columbus, Rawson Square does not contain a major Columbus statue; instead, it includes a modest commemorative marker, which lies closer to the eastern edge of the square, installed in 1992 by the Bahamas Association of Land Surveyors.

Today, Rawson Square functions primarily as a busy gateway rather than a place of prolonged pause. It forms the main pedestrian link between Prince George Wharf and downtown Nassau, channeling cruise passengers, office workers, and shoppers toward Bay Street.