Manchester, Jamaica - Attractions and Landmarks

Description

Located in the southwest of Jamaica, Manchester Parish covers an area of 831.0 square kilometers (320.5 square miles), making it the sixth largest parish on the island. The parish is characterized by its three mountain ranges: the Carpenters Mountains, the May Day Mountains, and the Don Figuerero Mountains, with the highest point being 2,770 feet above sea level in the Carpenters Mountains.

The landscape of Manchester is predominantly limestone, accounting for over 90% of the parish's surface, which results in a terrain rich in cockpits, sinkholes, caves, and underground passages. The Oxford Cave, the largest of 20 known caves in the parish, exemplifies this geological feature. Despite the limestone-dominated terrain, several rivers traverse the parish, including the Alligator Hole River, Alligator Pond River, Crambie River, Gut River, Hector's River, Two Rivers, and Swift River. Notably, Hector's River flows along the border between Manchester and Trelawny, sinks at Troy, and re-emerges below Oxford Cave as One Eye River after traveling underground for approximately six kilometers.

Manchester is also rich in bauxite deposits, contributing significantly to its economy.

History

Evidence of Taino/Arawak occupation was uncovered in 1792 when two Amerindian zemes were discovered in a cave in the Carpenters Mountains; these artifacts are now housed in the British Museum.

Manchester Parish was established in 1814 from parts of St. Elizabeth, Clarendon, and Vere in response to residents' petitions who found the administrative centers too distant. The parish was named after the Duke of Manchester, then Governor of Jamaica, who holds the record for the longest gubernatorial tenure on the island, serving for 19 years. Mandeville, the parish's chief town established in 1816, was named after the Duke’s eldest son, Lord Mandeville. Manchester’s economy historically revolved around coffee plantations rather than sugar estates, leading to a less harsh system for the enslaved population. Post-emancipation, many former slaves became independent coffee farmers. Notably, the parish was the first in Jamaica to cultivate the Irish potato at Bethany. In 1920, the ortanique, a cross between the orange and tangerine, was developed here by Charles Jackson and remains a popular export. Several significant initiatives have roots in Manchester: the Manchester Horticultural Society, formed in 1865, is one of the world's oldest; the Manchester Golf Club, started in 1868, is the Caribbean's oldest sports club; and the Mandeville Hotel, operational since 1875, is one of the oldest hotels in the Caribbean. The parish also boasts Jamaica's first "Free Library," established in 1938. Today, Mandeville attracts many returning residents, likely drawn by its pleasant climate. The town's rapid growth was further spurred by the establishment of Alcan Bauxite Company, which provided housing and relatively high wages, attracting a skilled workforce.

Major Industries and Employment

Agriculture:
Key crops include bananas, Irish potatoes, coffee, cocoa, citrus, and various cash crops.

Main Industries:

Bauxite mining
Production of Pickapeppa Sauce
Chocolate manufacturing
Toy production
Livestock Rearing: Primarily centered in Grove Place

Major Historical, Cultural, Recreational, and Ecological Sites

Mandeville Court House:
Built in 1820, this impressive cut limestone building features a horseshoe staircase and a raised portico supported by Doric columns.

Kirkvine Works:
Alcan Jamaica, a joint venture between the Jamaican Government and the Aluminium Company of Canada Ltd., operates the largest bauxite processing factory in Jamaica. The land is restored post-mining, with significant areas dedicated to citrus farming and livestock.

The Rectory:
The oldest home in Mandeville, completed in 1820, has served various purposes, including a hotel and now a private residence.

Marshall's Pen Great House and Bird Sanctuary:
An 18th-century great house set amidst a former coffee plantation, now used for cattle breeding, featuring a beautiful garden and serving as a nature retreat home to over 100 bird species.

Martin Hill Orchid Sanctuary:
South of Christiana, this sanctuary hosts over 100 orchid species, including many endemic to Jamaica.

Gourie State Park:
A forest reserve with hiking trails and home to Jamaica’s longest cave system, located about a mile northwest of Coleyville. Roxborough:

Birthplace of National Hero Norman Washington Manley. The original house was recently destroyed by fire, but the estate’s historical significance remains. Manchester Parish blends rich historical heritage with significant natural resources, making it a unique and important region in Jamaica.