Falmouth, Jamaica Information & Falmouth, Jamaica Links at HealthHaven.com

Falmouth is the chief town and capital of the parish of Trelawny in Jamaica. It is situated on Jamaica's north coast 18 miles east of Montego Bay. It is noted for being one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian towns.

Founded by Thomas Reid in 1769, Falmouth flourished as a market centre and port for forty years at a time when Jamaica was the world's leading sugar producer^{[citation needed]}. It was named after Falmouth in the UK, the birthplace of Sir William Trelawny the Governor of Jamaica who was instrumental in its establishment.

The town was meticulously planned from the start, with wide streets in a regular grid, adequate water supply, and public buildings. It had a piped water before New York City.

[edit] History

During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Falmouth was one of the busiest ports in Jamaica. It was home to masons, carpenters, tavern-keepers, mariners, planters and others. It was a wealthy town in a wealthy parish with a rich racial mix. This was the heyday of King Sugar. Within the parish, nearly one hundred plantations were actively manufacturing sugar and rum for export to Britain. Jamaica had become the world's leading sugar producer.

All the above made Falmouth a central hub of the slave trade and the now notorious cross-Atlantic triangular trade, with its economy largely based on slavery. In Falmouth Harbor as many as 30 tall-ships could be seen on any given day, many of them delivering slaves transported under inhumane conditions from Africa and loading their holds with rum and sugar manufactured by slave labour on nearby plantations.

As a result, starting in 1840, Falmouth’s fortunes as a commercial centre declined after the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire. This decline and lack of support for development has left many of its early buildings standing. The streets are lined with many small houses known for their unique fretwork and windows, major merchant and planter complexes, and commercial buildings, all dating from 1790 to 1840.

While Falmouth saw little commercial advancement after the 1840’s, houses continued to be built. The town’s buildings, the old and the not so old, make up the historic townscape of Falmouth. These shared characteristics weave the varied building styles into a distinctive pattern of early Jamaican architecture, and a critical mass of each variety makes the town an unusually distinctive place.

Places of interest include: the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, dating from 1895; the former residence of slave owner John Tharp; the town house of plantation owner Edward Barrett; and the St Peter’s Anglican Church, built in 1795.

[edit] Sights

Greenwood Great House Greenwood Great House is the finest antique museum in the Caribbean and indeed the greatest Great House in Jamaica. It has retained the atmosphere of the 19th century. It was built during an era of elegance and brutality. It has continued to capture the imagination of its visitors. No other attraction in the Caribbean has a larger authentic collection. Greenwood has the largest and rarest collection of musical instruments in the island. The house once belonged to the Barretts of Wimpole Street London (related to Elizabeth Barrett-Browning).
Martha Brae Rafters' Village Take an exhilarating river ride on a 30 foot bamboo raft and be captivated by the intriguing legend of Martha's Gold hidden away in a mysterious cave yet to be discovered. The 3 mile raft ride, piloted by a trained Raft Captain relaxes your mind and body as it renews your spirit. Revive your love for nature's beauty evidenced in picturesque snapshots during the 90-minute journey through the verdant countryside of a tropical splendour.

St Peter's Anglican Church St. Peter's, after an 1842 extension stands as one of the largest Anglican churches in Jamaica. Its supporting columns are of solid mahogany and its floor includes crosses inlaid with mahoe and mahogany. Graves spanning over 200 years grace its cemetery.

The Falmouth All-Age School A former army barracks which now (with new construction and improvements) serves as school.

[edit] Infrastructural Development

There are plans to construct a multi-million dollar cruise ship port for berthing of the newest and largest class of cruise ships, the Oasis Class, which is now under construction.^[1]

Falmouth was the site of the opening ceremony for the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup. The ceremony was held in the newly constructed Greenfield Stadium about 3 miles from the town centre.^[2]

[edit] Notable people from Falmouth

The following Falmouth natives have had a significant impact on the cultural or socio-political landscape of Jamaica:

Rex Nettleford - Rhodes Scholar, Academic, former Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.
Hugh Shearer - Former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Ben Johnson (sprinter) - Olympian and former world record holder.
Ky-Mani Marley - Reggae artist and Son of Bob Marley.

[edit] Articles on Falmouth

Boom Town of the 19th Century [1] By Dr. Rebecca Tortello.

[edit] References

* Port Gets Nod From Investors April 26, 2009

Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is wrapping up debt-financing proposals from three international government banks.

[edit] External links

wordtravels.com

Falmouth Heritage Renewal

Falmouth Heritage Renewal's mission is to preserve and restore the historic buildings of Falmouth, Jamaica while making the lives of the people who live there better. Falmouth Heritage Renewal is a United States-based non-profit organization.

Hands Across Trelawny

Hands Across Trelawny, Inc. (HAT) is a corporation made up of sons and daughters of Trelawny, and descendants of the same, whose charter is to assist in the betterment of Trelawny.

It is the mission of the organization to pursue opportunities whereby we can ensure that Trelawny's history, heritage and diversity will be sustained. Through meaningful and realistic ventures, it is our objective to make an impact that will facilitate productivity and prosperity in our home parish for those at home and abroad.

Hands across Trelawny is a United States-based non-profit organization.

Link to Hotels in Falmouth

Coordinates: 18°30′N 77°39′W / 18.5°N 77.65°W / 18.5; -77.65

[0] Jamaica Gleaner News - Falmouth to get new port - Tuesday | March 25, 2008

[1] Falmouth gets its chance today - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM

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