Hamilton, Bermuda

Hamilton, Bermuda

Street in Hamilton

unknown British architect

Hamilton, Bermuda, United Kingdom

18th Century

18th Century

Colonial

British

store

house

neighborhood

limestone

masonry construction

architecture and city planning

white roofs

pastel colors

street

storefront

architectural view

exterior view of a Hamilton street

Located at the junction of Front Street and Queen Street in Hamilton city, the Birdcage is now a popular landmark in Bermuda. This blue and white metal structure was earlier used by the Bermuda police to regulate traffic at this junction. The traffic during the peak hours often came to halt due to heavy jams. But today, the Birdcage is more like a beloved icon and a tourist attraction. The traffic lights are now in use to regulate traffic here.

But you will still at times see a policeman wearing Bermuda shorts posing for pictures to tourists. The cage has nothing to do with birds. It was named after Geoffrey 'Dickie' Bird who in the 1950s designed this cage. He was the first city engineer in Hamilton. Once when he was passing by this area, he noticed a policeman standing at the spot and controlling traffic. He realized that the policeman needed protection from the elements. That is when he designed the Bird Cage.

© Michael Peters

© Texas Tech University Libraries

Users must request permission from the copyright holder for all use in publications, including theses and dissertations.

Peters04844

Michael Peters