Black River, St. Elizabeth
Postcard by Ray Chen
In this Georgian Society's new SHOWCASE SERIES, we delve into the background of various historic towns in Jamaica and cite the architecture, artifacts and monuments of interest.
This post showcases the town of Black River which is known today for its wetlands, wildlife and wonderful old great houses. The town also embodies the unmistakable charm and unspoiled beauty that characterizes the South Coast of Jamaica.
This post showcases the town of Black River which is known today for its wetlands, wildlife and wonderful old great houses. The town also embodies the unmistakable charm and unspoiled beauty that characterizes the South Coast of Jamaica.
Some Little Known Facts
The old town of Black River, the capital of St. Elizabeth, has a number of FIRSTS:
1. The first town in Jamaica to have electric street lights
2. Telephone service in 1900
3. The first car in 1903, owned by Mr. H.W.Griffiths
4. One of the first racecourses in Jamaica -- racing was done on the Lower Works property.
The History
According to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust:
The town of Black River, established close to the banks of the river after which it is named, is one of the oldest in the island. The exact date of its establishment is not known but John Sellers' 1685 map of Jamaica identified its existence. The town itself is quaint and beautiful, looking as it does southward, toward the shimmering blue Caribbean Sea.
Black River was designed by the Leyden brothers of England, three wealthy men who were substantial land proprietors in the area. Today, it is nothing like the busy seaport town it was in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area prospered from the lucrative logwood trade, exports of rum, pimento and cattle skin garnered from nearby Holland, Vineyard and Fullerswood Estates.
The town itself, because of its port, was vital to the slave trade. Slaves were brought here and sold at auction at Farquharson Wharf, originally called the 'Town Wharf', which is still standing. Over time, the town grew in size and importance and in 1773, it replaced Lacovia, located some 19 miles to the east-north-east, as the capital of St. Elizabeth. It soon became the main commercial, economic and transhipment centre of the parish.
By the early 1900's the town was second only to Kingston, the national capital, in importance.The growing economic wealth of Black River was evident in the development of a number of warehouses which are still seen in the town today, which are being used as restaurants or headquarters for one of the operators offering tours up the ecologically rich river with its swirling dark waters.
Check back next week as we explore the historic sites in Black River.
- Lena Joy Rose, Editor, Georgian Society of Jamaica
According to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust:
The town of Black River, established close to the banks of the river after which it is named, is one of the oldest in the island. The exact date of its establishment is not known but John Sellers' 1685 map of Jamaica identified its existence. The town itself is quaint and beautiful, looking as it does southward, toward the shimmering blue Caribbean Sea.
Black River was designed by the Leyden brothers of England, three wealthy men who were substantial land proprietors in the area. Today, it is nothing like the busy seaport town it was in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area prospered from the lucrative logwood trade, exports of rum, pimento and cattle skin garnered from nearby Holland, Vineyard and Fullerswood Estates.
The town itself, because of its port, was vital to the slave trade. Slaves were brought here and sold at auction at Farquharson Wharf, originally called the 'Town Wharf', which is still standing. Over time, the town grew in size and importance and in 1773, it replaced Lacovia, located some 19 miles to the east-north-east, as the capital of St. Elizabeth. It soon became the main commercial, economic and transhipment centre of the parish.
By the early 1900's the town was second only to Kingston, the national capital, in importance.The growing economic wealth of Black River was evident in the development of a number of warehouses which are still seen in the town today, which are being used as restaurants or headquarters for one of the operators offering tours up the ecologically rich river with its swirling dark waters.
Check back next week as we explore the historic sites in Black River.
- Lena Joy Rose, Editor, Georgian Society of Jamaica
