Records from West End show that the population in 1836 was only about 370 people, many of whom later abandoned the island for greater opportunities in Nassau.

At the outbreak of the war, with the Confederate States of America under a strict Union embargo, smugglers operating out of West End were able to command hefty prices from the South for goods such as cotton, sugar, and weapons.

The location allows sport fishing enthusiasts to easily access shallow or deep-water options within a few nautical miles.

The north side of the island is part of the Bahama Banks and has very shallow water, making it a popular destination for bonefishing.

Around the tip of West End, the water on the south side of the island drops to a deep trench not far from the shoreline.

West End is only 55 nautical miles from the Florida coast and has a long history as a resort destination because of its accessibility.

Tourism and foreign investment have been attracted by the natural beauty of the beaches and water, the warm climate, British rule of law and a stable financial system (the currency is pegged to the US dollar).

In the late 1940s, the Butlin's firm of the UK built a 1000-guest holiday resort on the then-largely undeveloped island from scratch, including building West End Airport.

The large 356-room resort had three 9-hole golf courses, 16 tennis courts, a half-million gallon salt water swimming pool (the Bahamas' largest), a huge auditorium for live shows, a shopping arcade, several restaurants, a 100-slip marina and an airport.