Fox Bay West was originally leased as two separate farms, Spring Point, and Fox Bay West. Sprint Point was leased by the Stickney Brothers, William and Laurence; Fox Bay West by the Baillon Brothers Bernard and Louis. Louis managed Fox Bay West. At first the stations were in a partnership and called ‘Baillon Bros. In 1874 the partnership between the Stickneys and Baillon was dissolved, the Stickneys taking Spring Point and the Baillons Fox Bay West.

By 1876 Fox Bay West had two houses, a shearing shed and pens, a wool press and a sheep dip.
 
At Spring Point, the Stickney Brothers Clement and William were working partners, said to be hardworking having no paid labourers. They were estimated to have between three and four thousand sheep there. Their father and older brother also had interests in the firm. In 1887 Bernard Stickney bought a half interest in Fox Bay, becoming Baillon and Stickney, with Stickney managing the station.
Outside shepherd’s houses included East Bay, Spring Point, Fish Creek,  Lester Creek and Black Shanty.

In 1938 the Falkland Islands Company bought Spring Point and the following year they bought Fox Bay West. Combined these two farms, now Fox Bay West, carried 30,000 sheep. Spring Point at that time had a Manager’s house, cook house, a new bunkhouse, shearing and woolshed and two other houses and a sheep dip. The shearing shed, previously the centre for shearing, was taken to Fox Bay West. Robert Stickney, a partner with his brother at Spring Point lived in one of the houses with his family. They suddenly left during the 1940s leaving the house fully furnished and locked. After the Falkland Islands Company bought Spring Point it was moved to Fox Bay West.
The first manager for the FIC at Fox Bay West was T A Gilruth, who was moved to East Falkland.  He was followed by Charlie Robertson in 1939 who also acted as West Camp Manager. Jim Robertson, his son took over from him and managed the farm from 1960-1980.

In 1985 Fox Bay West  was sold and  subdivided into several smaller farms. 

Glimpses of the past

1888. West Fox Bay. Has two houses at the Settlement, and two detached houses (meaning outside shepherd's houses). Population 20; one birth, one death (paralysis), no infectious diseases, two cases of diarrhoea.
Assistant Colonial Surgeon to the Colonial secretary. Report on the Blue Book 1888

Sources include: Colonial Reports. The old Fox Bay Post Office Documents, Unspoilt Beauty of The Falkland Islands- Phyllis Randall/ Algernon Asprey, Falkland Rural Heritage- Joan Spruce with Natalie Smith, The Falkland Islands- Ian J Strange, nationalarchives.gov.fk/Jane Cameron National Archives /Buildings/ Land/General/Early leases of land post 1842

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Photographic credits: Robert Maddocks, Emma Brook

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