Historic Black River, Jamaica

Black River is one of the oldest communities in Jamaica

, located at the mouth of the river of the same name and on the southwestern coast of the island. During the latter years of the seventeenth century, three wealthy British brothers purchased a substantial amount of land around Black River. They designed and built the town, recognizing it's potential as a trading port for the logwood harvested from their lands. Yet the first commodity to land and be sold at Black River were slaves, followed by rum, logwood, pimento and cattle skin.

When Thomas Edison was marketing his electric light bulb all over Europe, Jamaica was still using oil lamps. Black River was the first to receive electricity as it was a very important trading port at the time. Soon after that the telephone was introduced to Jamaica, and a phone exchange put in - at Black River of course. Once the automobile arrived in Black River, the use of the steam engine began to wane in terms of transportation. Black River was a very important hub in Jamaica right up to the mid 1800's.

The main export of Black River was logwood, a tree with a uniquely rich colour that was used to produce the only natural blue-black dye in the world. The dye was in large demand by clothing makers, milliners and weavers across Europe, due to it's rich tones.. Unfortunately, when synthetic dyes were developed in ways that were far cheaper than importing trees from across the ocean, the logwood industry in Jamaica dwindled away. The bustling port of Black River began to shrink when their exports of rum, pimento and cattle hide had been taken over by other locations.

An air of colonialism still hovers around Black River. Buildings bear the architectural markings of centuries of English rule. Old cemeteries tell the stories of families who once presided over plantations and farms in the Black River region. St. John's Parish church still stands with picturesque humility among the Jamaican flora. Inside there are monuments dating back to the 18th century, a century old pipe organ in working order, and massive granite slabs lining the walls.

Yet among the aging souvenirs of colonial times, there grows the robust Jamaican nation. Breadfruit, coconut and banana trees encroach upon old plantation homes. Crocodiles, mangroves and tropical birds now rule the Black River. The wharf where slaves were once auctioned off is now lined with fishing boats. The quiet community of Black River has had a long and interesting history, and yet the people there enjoy a quiet lifestyle that is a reflection of modern Jamaica.

by: Robert Nickel

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