Bonthe's colonial quarter clusters along the waterfront and the streets behind it, a collection of two-storey wooden and masonry buildings that speak to a more prosperous past. The best-preserved structures date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Bonthe was a significant trading post for British merchants dealing in palm oil, kola nuts, and timber. The colonial court house, the remains of a customs house, and several merchant villas still stand in various states of repair.
Walking the streets here is a slow, contemplative experience. Few visitors come to Bonthe, so there is no tourist apparatus — just locals going about their day and buildings returning gradually to the forest. The Sherbro people who make up most of the island's population are generally welcoming to the rare foreign visitor. Bring curiosity and respect, and you will find people willing to share what they know about the island's layered history.