Recrudescence of a declined community
It is commonly believed that the development of Janjanbureh largely depended on the construction of a bridge to connect the island to the trans-Gambian highway on the south mainland.

The need for such a bridge was first recognised by Cherno Kaddy Bandeh, the king of Fulladu West. When he succeeded his deposed father (Musa Molloh) in 1925, he quickly recognised the need to connect his district to Maccarthy Island in order to take advantage of the booming groundnut trade.

 By using local materials and forced labour he constructed a floating log bridge which helped to facilitate the transportation of groundnuts from his district to buying stations in Georgetown from 1925 to 1931.

 The historic endeavour was a remarkable feat of local technology which gave Cherno Baldeh the praise name of "Babilli Mansa" (the bridge builder).  Inspite of this notable example undertaken by a native ruler, the colonial government never considered it an important development issue to construct a bridge which would connect the insular community to its mainland.  It is even more lamentable that the government that succeeded them after independence had only treated the issue as a political ploy by making fake promises to woo political support for their party and government throughout 32 years of rule. 

The only consolation the community depended on was the believe that the solution to any enduring problem is mostly determined by the forces of time. Seemingly that long awaited time has already appeared in sight. The community is ardently hopeful that the present government, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of a philanthropic president would, in the near future, salvage them from insularity and isolation enabling them to play a positive role in a creative and dynamic new future envisaged for the nation.

Undoubtedly, Janjanbureh has made positive contribution to Gambian history and can still play an effective role in national development.  However an irony of fate seems to have been responsible for its long decline from days of glory.  The island possesses a diverse selection of natural assets which can prove secure starting points for development activities.  The community is endowed with a rich history and cultural heritage; a comprehensive range of educational institutions, a productive agricultural sector, an intact and healthy ecosystem, as well as, community-minded citizens who can enhance development activities geared towards a better future.

 Janjanbureh has long been a victim of circumstances.  Its citizens must understand that societal change is an inevitable process because stagnation is not a choice for any community.  They must also understand that the future of their community is an urgent need.  Failing to take action, the community will not remain stagnant, but will be pushed by the constant current of local pressures and global forces to take control of its destiny which may be less likely benefit its members.

With due respect to the contributions of the past generation, this generation must strive to contribute more positively for a better future.  In the light of this, there is urgent need for every citizen of Janjanbureh to emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and morally connect him/herself to his/her roots.  For without this strong connection, they would less likely be committed to restoring their glorious past which is increasingly disappearing in nostalgic emptiness.

The main historical events
16/17 centuries: The island was called Lemaine Island by European and Luso-African traders who maintained temporal trading stations and had used the island as an assembly point for slaves waiting for shipment to markets abroad.

1785: The first treaty to cede the island to the British, in exchange for gifts amounting to £579.8s od, was signed by Richard Bradley and the king of Niani.
1810: The first village settlement called Morokunda was found by Muslim Mandinkas escaping persecution from the mainland to seek refuge on the island.
1823: On April, 14 the second treaty of the cession of the island was signed by Captain Alexandre Grant and Kolly Camara, the king of Niani.

1823: Rev John Morgan of the Wesleyan Mission (Methodist) acquired a plot of land and started a missionary station on Maccarthy Island.
1827: Sir Neil Campbell took charge of the management of the island from Sergeant Buchanan who acted as manager after Captain Grant departed to administer the colony of Bathurst.

1928: Sir Neil demolished the original mud fort and relocated it at the present commissioner's headquarters.  He also built a second  fort at Fatoto in the eastern end of the island and named it Fort Campbell.
1830: George Rendall, Governor of the colony of The Gambia established a department on Maccarthy Island to free runaway slaves from the mainland.
1932: Two hundred liberated slaves arrived from Freetown for resettlement on Maccarthy Island.

1835: The Wesleyan School cum Church was opened by Rev.William Fox to educate and evangelise liberated Creole immigrants.
1835: The battle of Ndungusine was fought by British forces against King Kementang who resisted the penetration and colonisation of his territory.
1836: Dr. Robert Lindoe, a philanthropist from Southanton in England acquired 600 acres of land on the island in order to induce the pastoral Fullas to abandon wandering habits and settle permanently.

1838: When the Lindoe mission failed, the Wesleyans took over the land, established a farming project where liberated Africans and sons of native rulers were enlisted for training.
1841: A model village called Lindoe was built by the Wesleyan mission at Foday-Banku to accommodate trainees and instructors of the farm project.
1843: Rev Samuel Symon from Cornwall, in England, succeeded Rev Fox as manager of the Weskeyan mission on Maccarthy Island.

1844: Rev Symon opened a second missionary station at Fatoto in the eastern end of the island where he died of yellow fever and was buried.
1844: The island was ravaged by locusts causing near famine conditions and damaging what was left of the mission farm project.
1850: Fort Campbell the second garrison at the eastern end of the Island was closed and abandoned.
1860s: Witnessed an influx of more refuge seekers on the island escaping from Soninke-marabout wars waged on the mainland.

1866: The officers and troops who formed the garrison of Maccarthy Island were ordered by the British government to withdraw from the island.
1866: Proposals were received from the French in London that The Gambia should be handed over in exchange for the French post on the Ivory Coast.
1869: An outbreak of cholera epidemic killed 93 people in Georgetown out of a population of 400.

1869:  An outbreak of fire that destroyed 20 compounds in Georgetown but also ended the spread of the cholera epidemic.
1876:  It was due to the existence of the small military outpost on MacCarthy Island that rival claims between Britain and France went in favour of Britain preventing The Gambia from becoming a French enclave.
1894: Declaration of the first protectorate ordinance that introduced the Protectorate administration.
1898: Georgetown was administered a crownland by the police under the supervision of a travelling commissioner assisted by Nakulang Komma, the chief of Niani, in cases related to native affairs.
1901: The first travelling commissioner, Captain Percy Waine Wright, died in Georgetown and was buried in the Christian cemetery.
1902: The kingdom of Fulladu (previously ruled by Musa Molleh), Georgetown and British Kombo were brought under the Protectorate administration.
1905: Colonial engineers widened streets in Georgetown from an average of 35 feet to 49 feet and named them after colonial governors and the Royal Navy Corps.
1909: Introduction of Money Order System at MacCarthy Island's Post Office.
1917: Construction of Government Wharf in Georgetown.
1920: Opening of an agency of the Bank of British West Africa Ltd. at MacCarthy Island.
1920: The introduction of Prison accommodation at Georgetown.
1922: An outbreak of fire that destroyed 43 houses in Georgetown.
1923: Celebrations of centenary relative to the second purchase and settlement of the island by the British.
1925: Cherno Baldeh, a son of the deposed Musa Molleh, was appointed the ruler of British Fulladu by Governor Sir Cecil Armitage.  He constructed a floating bridge over Sankulay Kunda river that accessed the traffic from South Bank to Georgetown until 1931.
1926/27: The closing down of the Roman Catholic school and the establishment of Armitage School for the sons of native rulers.
1930: Maccarthy Island was proclaimed a district and a provincial headquarter.
1930: December 8, Makang Sidibeh, the Alkalo of Georgetown was appointed the chief of the new district by Governor Richmond Palmer.
1931: The death of the deposed king of Fulladu, Musa Mollah, in his home town of Keseri Kunda.
1931: Re-establishment of ferry services plying from Georgetown to Laminkoto terminal on the northern mainland.
1933: Makang Sidibeh, the chief of Georgetown passed away and was succeeded by his nephew, Moriba Krubally.
1947: Establishment of the first teacher training college in The Gambia.
1948:  March 1st-5th, the fifth chiefs conference was held in Georgetown and attended by Sir Andrew Wright, governor of The Gambia.
1952: The Georgetown Teacher Training College was closed and relocated to Yundum, Kombo North Western Division.
1960/84: Hon Kebba Nyama Leigh became an incumbent member of parliament for Georgetown under Sami constituency.
1963/94: Kebba Jam Jawo became the first elected chief of Georgetown district.
1965/70: A citizen of Janjannureh, Alhagi Sir Farimang Singhateh was appointed first Gambian governor general
1983: The first Janjanbureh Cultural Festival organised by the Janjanbueh Cultural Association.
1994: Bakary Jam Jawo elected to succeed his father.
1997: Daddy Kaba Dampha was elected the first National Assembly Member of Janjanbureh constituency.
2001: Musa Sillah was elected unopposed to replace the former National Assembly Member.
2002: Ward councillor Seedy Danso became the first independent candidate to win an election in Janjanbureh.
2003: The second Janjanbureh Cultural Festival and Kadeeboo ceremony organised and staged by the Janjanbureh Cultural Association.
2007: Honourable Foday Jibani Manka was elected the National Assembly member for Janjanbureh constituency.