Black River is the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish, in southwestern Jamaica.[2] It sits at the mouth of the river of the same name. Once a thriving sugar port, it is today a centre of environmental tourism and a gateway to the Treasure Beach resort area; Treasure Beach and Crane Beach are to the south-east with Luana Beach to the west.
[edit] History
Black River one of the oldest towns in the island, being shown on John Sellers 1685 map.[2] It was designed by the Leyden brothers of England, three wealthy men who were substantial land proprietors in the area.[2]
In the 18th and 19th centuries it was a busy seaport for the lucrative logwood trade and for exports of rum, pimento and cattle skin from the nearby Holland, Vineyard and Fullerswood Estates.[2] The Logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making of dyes.[citation needed]
Slaves were landed here and sold at auction at Farquharson Wharf (originally Town Wharf), which still stands.[2]
In 1773 it replaced Lacovia, 19 miles to the east-north-east, as the capital of St. Elizabeth.[2] Soon after it became the main commercial, economic and transshipment centre of the parish.[2] By the early 1900s it was second only to Kingston in importance.[2]
Growing prosperity led to the construction of several warehouses.[2] These are now used as restaurants or as bases for eco-tours of the river.[2]
[edit] Notable incidents
- In 1781, survivors of the slave-ship Zong were landed after most of their fellow-captives had been thrown overboard so that the owners of the vessel could collect on their insurance.[citation needed]
- The Waterloo Guest House in Black River was the first place in Jamaica to have electricity.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ World Gazetteer
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Blak River, Jamaica National Heritage Trust.
Primary reference: Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Black River.
