The History of Grand Old House

Grand Old House, formerly known as Petra Plantation, is one of Cayman’s most beautiful and well known historic homes. Petra literally translated means gem, rock or stone. The Biblical city of Petra was described as a place of refuge. Our Petra is also a place of refuge, providing your senses with five star dining, soft piano music and colorful sunsets. Like biblical Petra, ours is located on the rock or “ironshore” as we call it locally, but overlooks another gem; the sapphire depths of the Caribbean Sea.

The Lambert Years

There is much controversy over who built Petra Plantation and the year of its construction. Some suggest it was a Captain William H. Law, a local merchant, who built Petra while more evidence points toward Mr. Frederic N. Lambert having commissioned the building. The earliest public records dating from 1891, indicate that Mr. Lambert purchased considerable amounts of property, other personal items and the store owned by Capt. Law. No reference was made to a house or specifically to Petra Plantation being included in the transaction. In 1897 Mr. Lambert then mortgaged all his properties to Mr. George E. Adams, again without any mention of Petra. Between 1897 and 1916 Mr. Lambert became very active in real estate, loans to members of the community and in merchant activities in George Town. Oral history accounts suggest Petra was constructed by a local carpenter, John Bodden, in 1908 for Mr. Lambert…a rather unceremonious beginning for such a grand old house.

Mr. Lambert and his wife, Louise, had only one child, a daughter named Helen. Few details are known of their early life, but oral accounts refer to the horse and carriage Helen drove daily, taking her father to work at his shop in George Town. Other accounts highlight Helen’s lifelong friendship with the family’s local housekeeper, Miss Olive, of the well known Hinds family. Helen relocated to Jamaica with her ailing parents who passed on by the mid 1920’s. Helen followed them on Dec 8, 1928, leaving Petra without a living owner.

Under the terms of the will, Miss Olive and her mother were given the right to live out their days at Petra, however ownership of the house remained in limbo as no living relations could be found. Because of the stipulations in the will, neither the Presbyterian Church nor Government could accept the donation of Petra as there were certain strict moral and social issues, such as race, temperance and co-habitation, which would have made either institution in breach of the conditions. Helen Lambert was a very philanthropic individual. She also made a financial donation to begin a proper hospital on Grand Cayman, however, this would not come to fruition until 1953, when other funding became available.

The Hinds Years

From 1928 to 1947, the property was without a legal owner. While the ownership was in limbo the activities around the house were not. Miss Olive, never married or had a family of her own, but cared for her brother’s children after their mother’s passing. Petra became a refuge for the young children. In 1932, a powerful hurricane destroyed many homes in Cayman, however, Petra survived in part due to its skillful construction. During the 1930’s, at least one surgery was said to have been performed on the dining room table by a local physician, Dr. Overton. During World War II, the property apparently served as a venue for social gatherings including enlisted men in the Home Guard and US Navy.

Due to the efforts of Commissioner Ivor O. Smith, the property was finally awarded to Olive Hinds in 1947.

Ms. Olive later became an employee and a friend of the Roulstone family who owned and operated Sea View Hotel, located nearby. Ms. Olive was often involved in entertaining and offering island tours to visitors of Sea View Hotel on behalf of the Roulstones. It was due to this friendship that Mr. Frank Roulstone Sr. assisted with the rental and subsequent sale of Petra Plantation as it was becoming too much for Ms. Olive to manage alone.

Petra Plantation was initially rented to a LACSA pilot named Bill Biggler. His wife Juanita utilized one room as a hair salon and in her spare moments grew and hung orchids from the porch.

From Home to Restaurant

In the 1960’s, Petra Plantation was then sold for $15,000 to Bostonian, Colonel Pirnie, who was a founder of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. The club still holds regular meetings at the restaurant. In 1969, it was sold to an American couple, Bob and Jeanne Brenton, and a few other partners who shared their dreams of fine dining. They made several additions to the site and renovated the attic space to become the Brenton’s private residence.

On April 15th 1970, Petra Plantation officially became Grand Old House Restaurant. Bob loved fishing and clown portraits. The walls of Grand Old House were covered with his collection of clown portraits. He spent his days hauling in the catch and in the evening cooking it. In 1979, the Brentons sold the property to Tim Kelly and other foreign investors who continued to maintain it as a restaurant. In 1986, Mr. Kelly sold the restaurant to a group of local investors headed by well-known businessman, Mr. Naul Bodden. TV personality, Chef Tell Erhardt from Germany was asked to manage the restaurant with assistance from his wife, Bunny. In 1996.

Unsolved mysteries

This account of Petra’s history would not be complete without one final piece of folklore. A Caymanian lady hired by the Brentons was and is still considered today to have a heightened awareness of her surroundings. While going about her daily chores, she often saw various duppies (ghosts) pass through the house. She recalled that there were two duppies who made very consistent appearances…a female in a hat and long white dress and a male who’s attire suggested he was employed in the yard. She explained that sometimes she could hear them speaking but they never spoke directly to her. The lady seemed to enjoy walking in the front garden with the man, then in through the front doors and up the stairs. On rare occasions, the lady would turn and smile kindly at her. It is said a former chef who lived on site had an interesting encounter following an evening filled with too much drink. Apparently the chef was awakened by something pulling him out of bed by his feet!

So eat, drink and enjoy the charm that is synonymous with Grand Old House. Should you hear a ghostly whisper or feel a tug on your toes after too much drink, perhaps, it is time to find your designated driver and call it a night.

Enjoy Grand Old House

Over the years, Grand Old House has served as a venue for countless wedding receptions, Christmas parties, and Rotary gatherings, while maintaining its unique Caymanian architecture and charm. Grand Old House Restaurant has preserved one of Cayman’s oldest and most interesting homes for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

As you can see, some traditions are worth keeping! Petra Plantation, Grand Old House Restaurant continues to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.

Phone 345-949-9333

e-mail: info@grandoldhouse.com