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Historical Sketch of Montego Bay |
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Point
of Trade
The parish of St. James was a much larger parish when Montego
Bay served as its capital town as far back as 1686. The city
also served as the seaport of a British colony, while it took in
and awaited cargoes of sugar and rum for export. And, although
the eastern end of the parish had as many as 88 sugar estates
and the western end had only 45, it played a pivotal role of
carrying the license for clearance and entry.
Lighting
up the town
The town of
Montego Bay from as far back as the 1870’s had its Carbide
Acetylene gas generator mounted at the back of the courthouse
from where all its important clerical offices, the courthouse,
and its portico facing the town squarer were lit. The town folk
had their own backyard generator, so long as they could afford
this luxury. Kerosene lanterns followed as lighting for the
market and houses of the general citizenry.
Town
Square
The square
housed the courthouse and a circular fountain which still stands
today. It is interesting to note that this courthouse was built
more so for civic receptions rather than court proceedings. It
had regular town hall dances of the nineteenth century era with
concerts and other entertainment. Unfortunately it was destroyed
by fire in 1974. The fountain had grilled based fencing with
two arched gateways of wrought iron and fluted gate posts. In
the centre above the gate lit lamps with large glass globes. In
the well-maintained garden were ornamental concrete benches for
use by travelers lay-by-halt, but it was not until about 1906
that tourists made use of them.
Riots
Montego Bay has
had its fair share of riots and the one of 1927 recorded that a
notorious troublemaker was arrested by police after he pushed
indiscipline too far. This act infuriated the cronies of the
prisoner and attack was launched against the police. In an
effort to rescue their accomplice, the mob attacked the Barnett
Street police station. The number of casualties rose due to the
upheaval, and the officer in charge ordered independent firing
which quickly cleared the street in an atmosphere of shocked
silence. The riot ended, and Montego Bay became the most
peaceful town in the island. Later, Montego Bay experiences
rapid growth and a calmer atmosphere as agriculture and tourism
blossomed.
Transformation
As the town
developed, the tourism “mecca” of Jamaica was born, and is
dubbed “the friendly city” . Montego Bay today is an urban
resort city that boasts rapid development of the north coast and
is one of the most renowned vacation spots in the world. |
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ABOUT MONTEGO BAY,
JAMAICA
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Being the Second City in Jamaica
is not easy; it is like being the second child in a
family, not always first, not really last, but you
get to wear the hand-me-down's from your older
brothers or sisters. So not everything gets fixed in
time, roads and other infrastructure need repair.
HOWEVER we have
always been the Tourism Capital of JAMAICA and
nobody can take that
away from us. Because the Montegonians are proud
people, always different from the Kingstonians, the
Big City people; we call ourselves "The Republic"
and "The Friendly City" and that's what we are.
HEY MON, NO PROBLEM ! |
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It sometimes takes a little
courage to travel to a strange country, especially
when you have never been away from your familiar
surroundings.
But don't be afraid to go out, be open to other
cultures, other people, other food, different
climates - there is so much to discover. Be open,
self assured and do not hesitate to be yourself.
Say No, thank you, if you are not
comfortable, and go your merry way.
In Jamaica, like any country, there are many people
who are nice, warm
and friendly and unfortunately also people that make
you feel
uncomfortable, like hustlers, pushers and pimps.
Just ignore the last group and you'll be all right
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Find in our pages the
things to do, where to stay, where to eat and
shop and soon you will be one of us, and know
the "RUNNINGS". We even provide you with the
maps for to take along when you explore our
second city of Jamaica..
So
please come down and enjoy Mo-Bay, as the locals
call it. Say "COOL MON" and "SOON COME", and when
you enjoy yourself you'll say "IRIE" which is
the the same as COOL or GREAT! |
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Most visitors don’t leave Mobay empty-handed.
Showcase after showcase unveils top-quality diamond
jewelry, fine gold chains and bracelets, and an
array of designer watches that redefine the meaning
of time. Savvy shoppers save 25 to 50 percent of
many items.
In
the Rose Hall area, Half Moon Shopping Village is a
relaxed and enjoyable “must-shop” venue. Dozens of
duty- free and other shops and restaurants are
joined by a post office, grocery store and bank.
Mobay’s finest duty-free merchants created the
shoppes at Rose Hall, a grand shopping, dining and
entertainment experience. Downtown is the original
City Centre, where visitors discover duty-free
treasures including jewelry, perfume, crystal,
leather, watches, Cuban and Jamaican cigars, Blue
Mountain Coffee, rum cakes, liquor, linens and
custom clothing made on site.
At
Casa Montego Arcade purchase perfume, liquor, china,
crystal, Cuban cigars, and Jamaican Blue Mountain
coffee. Fine Swiss watches and handcrafted jewelry
are found at Swiss Stores. Purchase edible
souvenirs from Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cakes and at
Calypso Gelato on Reading Main Road.
Yahman Perfumes are sold island wide. Find them at
Baywest Shopping Centre in Montego Bay. Pick up last
minute gift items at the airport lounge. Jamaica
farewell offers liquors and tobacco. Cigar Hut has
Cuban Cigars. More duty-free shopping is at Bijoux
Jewelry. |
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Things to Do! |
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The
peaceful Tainos, a gentle American Indian people and
Jamaica’s early inhabitants, named the island Xaymaca, the
land of “wood and water”. Many of Mobay’s things to see and
do are designed for exactly the kind of playground that the
Tainos had in mind.
Ride horseback in the mountains of bare-back into the sea –
do one or do both. Swim in medicinal waters at a pristine
beach or cruise the coast on a pirate ship or sleek
catamaran. Raft serenely down a river. Jump in an inner tube
and float down a refreshing stream. Take a safari. Trek
through the thicket on a natural trail. Sample a slice of
rural life in the mountains or enjoy touring a private
estate. Explore the underwater world of a marine sanctuary.
Catch a blue marlin fishing only a few miles from shore.
Swing away on a champion golf course.
History and legend play a major role in area attractions.
Visit classic Great Houses and see valuable antiques.
Historical city tours bring Montego Bay’s tumultuous past to
life.
The water at Doctor’s Cave Beach, just steps from the “Hip
Strip”, is claimed to have curative powers from mineral
springs. Snorkeling is great here. Montego Bay Marine Park
is Jamaica’s first national park, declared in 1991 to
conserve marine coastal resources. Park includes coral
reefs, and other native animal and plant life. Diving,
fishing and snorkeling opportunities abound. Have a blast on
a river rafting excursion, available at Lethe, south of
Montego Bay and Martha Brae, south of Falmouth.
Horseback riding into the sea and mountains are offered by
Chukka Caribbean Adventures, also giving you other rough and
ready treats like ATV and jeep safaris, mountain biking,
river tubing and adventure hiking.
Historic Great Houses dot the landscape. The Kerr-Jarrett
family has owned Barnett Estate since 1775. Tour the
restored Bellfield Great House on property and get a glimpse
of 18th century colonial living.
Take a hike or tour: The Accompong Maroon tour is southeast
of Montego Bay at the base of Cockpit Country. Say hello to
the villagers and see historic sites in the home of the
Maroons (descendants of runaway slaves).
Get around
easily by helicopter, car rental and taxi services available
from a host of providers. |
Call
1-888-336-8133
for reservations.
Ask for Penny
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