HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR OF THE TOWN OF ST. GEORGE.

Described as one of the prettiest town in the Caribbean, with its quaint streets and historic ambience, with a section nestled within a giant amphi-theatre, while the other part cascading from two promontories, it is scene of intrigues, fascination and sometimes fear and wonder. It is said that the town was built upon volcanic craters dating back to 15,000 years ago when the Carenage and later the Queen’s Park or National Stadium area blew depositing its rich ash, our building aggregates upon the Darbeau Hill area.

However, this did not ended here as it gave reminders in 1902 and later in 1920 when the sea rose and sank a few times causing damages to many merchant houses on the carenage and the lagoon to loose its dept and mystery. In 1960, with the development of the area into a yachting marina, a channel was dredged to allow boats with a draft in. So it is from this end that our historic tours starts as it is said that,

from beneath the surface of the placid scene, there are tales of disaster and rebellion to be told.

The town of St. George had its origin from within the lagoon, built on a sand spit, which separated the Lagoon ( locally called the mange because of the mangrove which once grew in this area). This town was first called Fort Annunciation as it was established on the feast of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, March 19-25, 1649. It named changes to Fort Louis when the island came under the leadership of the French Crown. It consisted mainly of a palisade fort, with earthen ramparts built from the trees felled on the site and a musket proof block house was built in the middle.

The cutting of trees and the cultivation of the lands around over the next following years after, brought about the deterioration of the town which had to be relocated to the western side of the harbour, it present day site.  However, this did not end life in this area as it became famous for its penny (2 cents) boats which plied the waters as public transportation.  Even before this, the area around the lagoon, called Belmont (beautiful hill and once owned by a Thomas Townsend), has been recognize as one of the oldest village system on the Island. With is old sugar mill, springs and vegetable farms, the area has always been full of activities.

The Lagoon area continued to be significant as one can visit the site of Grenada’s first tourist Hotel the Santa Maria established in 1948. However, this site is also known for more history – the site of the first masonry fort built on the island, to help fight off the Caribs who used to frequent the Grand Anse area, the home of a Frenchman arrested for making counterfeit money and official residence of the Chief Harbour Master.

Further entry will remind one of the many springs that ended into this once brackish water lake, the first water works for the town and harbour which started during the 1700’s with it out fall known as the Spout and the storage tank now used by the Grenada Yacht Club. This point interestingly, was not only the remains of part of the sand spit but was part of Engineers Point which was the home of soldiers from Carolina who had to leave America after the was of Independence. Later it became the Headquarters of the Windward Islands World War II Battalion. Then parts of the hill was cut as back fill to create the Tanteen playing field. Sometime in the 1940’s the school took over from the military, while the Army huts in the reclaimed are were used by a variety of clubs until reoccupied as part of the school class rooms.

But the story of Tanteen does not end here, as it was part of the military establishment of the Forts at Richmond Hill, with Ordnance stores, incinerator, barracks of the Royal Engineers in the area now occupied by the Anglican High School. The Ordinance Wharf and piers that once lines the shores of this natural harbour. But it was remembered that it was the 86 acres estate of William Lucas that was taken over by the French. In its heydays you had a water powered sugar mill that once occupied the entire area now know as Old Trafford – a name given to the area after the West Indies Cricket Team defeat in England - with a massive water cistern on the hills now occupied by the Blue Danube Bakery.

Of course, once cannot forget the Botanical Gardens when it was really a spectacle. It started however, as part of the military compound with horse stables hence today we still have the area called Paddock. After the withdrawal of the British troops, the lands which is know to receive around an average 80 inches of rainfall per annum, was developed as an agricultural research station before being converted into a garden around the 1860s. In days gone by it was treated as sacred ground with its Roman Cart Wheel design and beautiful lawn. The love and care which was once lavish on this land, however has given way to past activities like the chief netball courts and site for the inter-colonial netball tournament. Today maybe it can be said that the area re-aforested after Hurricane Janet, has given way to economic development or necessity.

But while in the area, one should not forget about the Villa the local house of opulence which was in fact the estate house of the then sugar plantation with the Great House in the Mount Helicon area; Springs, Archibald Avenue, the Tanteen Terrace and quite an interesting one, Lowthers Lane.  Named after a gentleman who had one of the longest cases during his time with the local Legislature who refused him permission to farm crops, other than sweet potatoes and Indian corn on the lands he rented since the area was a military area and that the site of vision of an soldier on look out should not be obscured. On this note, it must be mentioned that the southern boundary of the Town of St. George was moved to the present day Reno Cinema after lands were bought from the Roman Catholic Church in 1788 for the purpose of building the present Richmond Hill Prison building.

And as one makes his way around the lagoon and head for the inner Carenage he should remember Burns Point that used to be the site of a public bath house and later known as the ‘coal yard’ when it became the depot for stockpiles of coal used to fuel the boilers of ships or one the big sugar mills. It was an area reclaimed from the sea, developed as the main port and once housed the local power station and Electricity Department before it was moved to the Queen’s Park in the late 1950s. Something hidden and not know by many young Grenadians, were the blacksmith shops that were quick popular during these days. Fortune has it, that maybe the last one of its type could be found on the Carenage, owned by a Mr. Green.

As we swing into the Carenage itself, this was an undeveloped swampy area that house mainly fishing boats and some boat-houses. The name is of French origin CARENAGE- meaning- a place where boats are careened or repaired.

But back to Burns Point, there was no pier there as the main shipping areas was along the other side of the Carenage around the establishment of Hubbards, Huggins and going right up to the present library and National Water and Sewerage Authority buildings N.A.W.A.S.A. What come to our minds however are the famous ‘yards’ of St. George’s. The town of St. George is known for at least 4 yards which played important roles in the shaping of its present day history:-

The Drill Yard on Young Street, the site which houses today the Ministry of Communications and Works , was part of the site of the common goal and prison located on Young Street. Subsequently to the removal of the female prison to Richmond Hill in 1901, it was converted to a multi-purpose area including a temporary lock-up. In the 1930's it was converted to the government quarters. it also became the headquarters of the Grenada Volunteers, a militia force which was drilled in the yard hence, the name.

The Mad Yard was once located on the Carenage on the site now occupied by Independence Agency limited (the old Empire Cinema Building). It was the site of the Lunatic Asylum before it was relocated to Richmond Hill. The Carenage therefore, was quite a place of confusion when the people from the Coal yard, the Jack market and the Mad Yard were all shouting their different choruses. Can you imagine the commotion when the people of the Jacks Alley and the Mad Yard were all singing their chorus. As a result it was quite a relief to have this place relocated. However, today remains of the walls still forms the boundaries of that complex.

The Coal Yard which started in the late 1800's in the Burn point Area, was the landing

place for coal from England to supply the town and estates. From there the coal was taken to the market, part of the Jacks market and other loctions around the island.

The Sand Yard once located on Melville Street around the National Insurance Building Compound.

So let us continue around the Carenage as we pass the Fire Station which was once the site of the Rum Bond which was moved from around the Treasury Buildings during the 1930s. One will notice that the architecture in this area is quite different and more of a modern nature than the other parts of the town. This is due to the fact that this part of the Carenage was developed mainly during the 1930s as the town once ended around the Independence Agency Building which was opened in 1935 as the Empire Cinema, what an affair this was. In that area also, we can find some cottages which was part of Government first housing project on the Island.

Along the Carenage also we must stop at the Cable and Wireless Compound which has undergo changes over the years. Known as the Jacks and Coal Market with the Jacks Wharf and adjacent street called Jacks Alley later renamed Hugh Street, was all the heartbeat of the area. So the Carenage bustled with scenes of shipping, the visiting submarines, the coal yard ships, the World Wars troops leaving, the arrival of dignitaries, the scene of political disturbances, carnival, you name it.

The carenage also gives up the utilitarian feel of the early colonial days of shipping, the presence of good anchorage, source of fresh water and the add advantage of a place where ships could be careened to have the barnacles scrapped off their hulls. Hence the presence of the warehouses became of hallmark of this area. Until around 1926 - 28, the wharf road was owned by the firms on the wharf and was closed once a year to preserve the right of way. Government took over the road but the firms retained the right to store goods along the side of the road. They continued to do this for a number of years.

It was also the Carenage that was responsible for the disasters that swept the early town of St. George – the deadly fire bug; one started from a bakery and the other from a rum ship. So from 1771, 1775, 1792, 1990, 2003 and even recently as 2005 the town was the scene of fires. This resulted in the Legislature at that time passing a very strick building code, hence today we can see the fish scale tile roofs, a special feature of the Carenage.

We also hear of the King Wharf and Carnash Hill which links the Carenage to the rest of the town. Many a people was in a doubt as to how has this name arrived. Well this can be explained in the attached Govt Gazzette Clipping:-

Clipping from 1776 Gazzette

Grenada, May 9. 1776,

O N Thursday night last about 9 o’Clock,

Came to an anchor in the Bay, from London,

The Ship Earl of Errol, Capt. John Bartlet.

– in which came, The Right Honorable

S I R G E O R G E M A C A R T N E Y

K: B: his LADY, and Family, and on

Friday about 12 0’Clock, he landed at the King’s

Wharf, Carnash, where the 48^th, Regiment

Were ready to receive him, and all other Marks

of honor were paid his Dignity. His Honor

Fredrick Corsar Esq. The President, with many

Principal Gentlemen, were present on his Landing;

after which he was conducted by the Provost

Marshal to the Court House, where he took the

usual Oaths. – The Honorable the Members of

his Majesty’s Council and House of Assembly,

(prior to his arrival) provided an elegant Entertainment,

at the Villa, a House taken for his Excellency, where a

numerous Company were at Dinner, and in the Evening

Excellency and Lady went to Thomas Townsend’s Esq;

And on Saturday they visited the Honourable Patrick

Maxwell Esq; Calliviny, where they remained until

Last Monday, and then returned to the Villa.

And as we move on to some of the other important building around that precincts, like the Public Library Building, built in 1892, as a public Library upstairs and the Government Warehouse at the bottom, the Financial Complex known as the Treasury Buildings that were really part of the military establishment. They were two storey Ordnance buildings that formed part of a compound called the Commissariat. They also suffered from the fire bugs, one as recent as 1990 when they were all rebuilt as three storey buildings. The Christ of the Deep Statue which in itself is a whole story to be told, as it open it hands to the departing and arriving sea-fearers. However, it stands as a symbol of the love and friendliness of the Grenadian People.

Then we have one of the oldest compound within the Town, the present Grenada National Museum Compound which was built around 1704 as a military barracks when the new town was built. It later became a series of first, Goal, hotels – Home, Gordon and later the Antilles a name the compound is known by. But it was also the home of the first telegraph station established around 1871.

As we shift our focus to the present parking lot of the hotel, our mind can go back to the days when this area used to be horse and mule stables, gas pumps and closer to the shoreline, the gas storage tanks. One will ask about the Sendall Tunnel, named after the then Governor Sir Walter Sendall. It is said that he saw the plight of the porters and the horse drawn carriages that had to ply that route especially during the rainy season, when the unpaved road were wet and slippery, thus causing great difficulties. As such, the tunnel started in 1889 and completed in 1894, was to address both the transportation need and the linking of the town.

.And as we ascend from the Carenage to Fort George, a whole new vista is opened around us. Fort George is the heart and lungs of this town. Moreover, it was the main institution on the Island as grew up around and was influenced by it. It has played a part in every aspect of Genada’s political life and history, with every military change or the raising of the Independence flag, the imprisonment of the late Prime Minister Maurice Bishop all have their stories.

Fort Royal – Present Day Fort George

Fort George was built upon an early battery erected by the French during the 1660s.

With relocation of the Town of Fort Louis to its present-day site in 1700, a new fort was built from 1706-1710, from a plan laid out by French Engineer General M de Caillus and named Fort Royal. The British in honour of King George III renamed it in 1763. Thus, 2006 –10 should be a period of celebration to mark the tri-centennial of the redevelopment of this fort.

After the recapturing of the Island in 1779, the French extended the Fort with additional bastions and a network of underground tunnels, cisterns capable of containing 118,000 gallons of water, barracks and powder magazines.

This Fort is basically a small bastion tracer fort, which means that every level provides cover fire for the other. Sometimes it is also considered a sea defense fort because of its location, which commands the immediate approaches and entrance to the harbour at an elevation of 160 feet above sea level.

From this vantage point, one can see:-

REMAINS OF THE PRESBYTRIAN KIRK

Built upon the Old Governor’s Compound which once comprised of the Chief Guard Hut, the Seat of the Legislature, the Court House and Library, the Scotch Kirk is by far the youngest, of all the major churches in Grenada. The Church with its strong square tower stands on the rock below the Fort, testifying to man’s relation to God and guiding to a safe anchorage, under its shadow the ships that frequent the Island.

The bell was specially cast for the Kirk in Glasgow and hung shortly after the opening of the building, while some years later the clock, subscribed for by the general public, was placed in the Steeple. Owing to several slides having taken place on a portion of the cliff, on which the Kirk is erected, a retaining wall was built for its protection, in 1927, the cost of which was borne equally by the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland and the local Government.

Mr. Cockburn’s is the only Minister’s grave in the churchyard, and his was the last internment there, the churchyard having been closed against burials immediately afterwards in consequence of the cholera epidemic. The first marriage celebrated in the Kirk was performed by a Mr. George Mitchell on the 26^th April 1860.

The remains of the Church today is a testimony of the destruction of Hurricane Ivan, 2004.

Knox House

Built around 1700 by the French as the residence of the Governor, Legislature and Court House, this building was retained by the British over the years despite suffering from numerous fires which destroyed the town. As such, it was rebuilt even after the Governor’s Residence was transferred to Fort George in 1778. Presently it is the head office of the Presbyterian Church.

House of Parliament

This house built during the 1700s was the residence of the Depontieu Family before being bought over around 1801 to be converted into the House of Parliament. It also housed the Supreme Court and Legal Affairs Department. Over the past years, it became the chief entertainment venue for balls, dinners and concerts before other centers such as the Anglican Church Hall was built. It also suffered from the passage of Hurricane Ivan.

MARKET SQUARE

The Market Square was originally laid out around the first quarter of the 18th century as the Parade Square or Plaza de Arms for the forts that surrounded the Town It was the site, where public executions took place, the presence of the night cage and gallows, the religious meetings and processions, the political battles, demonstrations, the carnival revelry all had the place. Although many had recommended the enclosure of this place it is also described as the lungs of our city and only public square hence every effort should be made to safeguard it.

STREETS

Adams

The Adams Family was the owner of a grocery store and a bakery. They resided in the Lucas Street area, hence the alley was named aftr them.

Bruce Street

Sir Charles Bruce, K.C.M.G., formerly Lieutenant-Governor of British Guiana arrived in Grenada on October 24th 1893 to be Governor of the Windward Islands. He served until 1897 when he was promoted to be Governor of Mauritius. Bruce Street, the extension of the then existing Melville Street, was constructed in 1895 to connect the recently constructed Sendall Tunnel to Melville Street and was named in honour of the Governor.

Church Street/Government Street/Hospital Street

The street now known as "Church Street", running from the conjunction of Young and Halifaz Street to its junction with the top of St. John's Street , was probably known, initally as part of Grand Etang Road. More recently, it was known, until sometime in the 1920's, by two names. A diagram indicates that roadway from the conjunction of Young and Halifax Street to Simmons Street was known as "Government Street".

From the junction with Simmons Street, beyond York House and to St. George's Cemetery at top of the hill, was known as "Hospital Street". That street got its name from the fact that originally it led to a hospital at the top of the ridge, established in 1736 during the French colonisation of the island. Hospital.

However, it should be noted that Church street was first called Government Street (Rue du Gouvernement) because it was once the location of all the main Governmental Offices when the town was moved to it new location. Therefore, it was the home of the Colonial Treasury or Le' Bureau du Domaine and at one time even housed the Le' Palais. Quite interesting to know was that Church Street was only the area which took you from government street onto Scott street via the steps or todays Simmons alley.

Houses of Church Street

St. Josephs Convent

Now the home of the St. Joseph Convent Secondary School, the original buildings as seen in the above photo, was privately owned. Interesting to note, however, it that before it became this illustrious institution, it was once the home of the Colony hospital during the 1850's when the old hospital on Hospital Hill was abandoned. However, as it is located on the hill which slopes back into the town, there was an outcry from the inhabitants as on many occassion they were unable to withstand the stench and noise coming from that institution. Hence, with the outbreak of the many epedimics around that era, the hospital had to be relocated in the barracks at Fort George.

After the hospital was removed form this site, the buildings were cleaned white washed and sold over to the governments as a means of making some money to help pay the outstanding debts of the hospital. As such, it became the home of the Colonial treasurer before in 1886 sold over to the sisters who established the St. Joseph's Convent.

Lamoli House

Now the First Caribbean Bank Ltd. This building was owned by Mr. Lamolie was the owner of many estates in and around St. George's including Mr. Mortiz. It is said that the first Funeral Agency owned by a Mr. Otway was in the basement of this Building which was once had its access on the bank steps. It is known for a number of things such as the Anglican Girls High School on the top floor and the elementary on the lower floor. In recent times is known for quite a hilarious story about an Englishman, a Mr. Passey who had owned the building. It was his wishes that he should be buried in England when he died. His wishes were met when he died but not have modern day facilities, his body was stored in a big cask of rum by his relatives, to be shipped out on the first available ship. However, the house had a watchman who every night helped himself with a little of the rum not knowing that there was a body being preserved. One could imagine the feelings he had when he discovered about his source of free rum.

Peoples Pharmacy Building

This building at the corner and intersection of Church and Young Street, although looking simple is an important and historic building in medical circles and for the black community in any part of the world. It was owned in 1900 by a Mr. Noel a dentist who went to America, fell ill only to be diagnosed with cycle cells disease, the first case in the New World.

Sedan Porches

It is not unusual for Colonial Architecture to follow the current taste of the Mother country. As for examples, the Dutch type buildings of Curaco and of South Africa, so that these examples of porches in St. George's need not necessarily have been functional. However, the prosperous burgess (a citizen or freeman: magistrate of certain town) of St. George's may well have owned a slave-born litter, to take 'his sisters and his cousins and his aunts' on afternoon visits, in view of the unsuitability of European clothing, the cobbled streets and primitive drainage. Whether he did or not, the possession of a Sedan o little porch would have been a status symbol.

Although it is debatable whether the sedan-chairs were ever used in Grenada, both on account of the unsuitability of gradient of many street, these three (3) remaining porches still have their uses as the houses face the east into the prevailing trade wind, so they reflected reasonable form of air-conditioning and at the same time keep the natural elements like the rain from entering the buildings. These porches had two doors hence the bearers of the litter entered one door allowed his passenger to alight then left through the second door. Over the years sad to say some of these porches were either knocked down or those remaining had one of its doors sealed off with concrete blocks.

The priory

This house is believed to have been constructed by the Roman Catholics as a Presbytery since it appeared in many of the maps and plans of the town during the 1760's. After the Catholic were expelled from the present day Anglican Church, by the then British authorities, it was used as their church, later it was also used as the first accomodation for the Presentation Brothers.

It was sold to a number of owners over the years but a noted change is the addition of the bay windows when the house was renovated around 1917?

Roman Catholic Presbytery

This building which was recently as 1998 renovated, was given over to the Roman Catholic Church around 1928 by Mr. Pantin, who was the executor of the Will of Mr. Edward Norton who had owned many properties in and around the Town. This house was also called the boarding house. It is full of history as it was also the home of Mr. William Cockburn who once owned the Grenville Valle Estate and also acted as a ambassador for the British Government. (additional information is available)

The Methodist Manse/Equity House

Was the Presbytery of the Methodist Church. It was built since during the 1700's when it was owned by... It was sold to the Law Firm of Renwick and Renwick who now called it Equity House.

Bachelor's Lodge

This is a group of buildings which starts along the Anglican Church onto todays Simmons alley. They were given this name because they once were the homes of the single officers of the British soldiers serving at Fort George.

Cox Alley

The family residence of the Cox Family stood at the junction of Lucas Street and Cox Alley where the Fire Baptised Holiness Church now stands. Names associated are Martin Cox and Byron Cox, E.B. Cox, grocer and liquor & wine dealers, is recorded as carying on business in Lucas Street in 1889.

Deponthieu Street

A list of Estates in Grenada, (relative to the Garvin Smith Map) compiled in 1801, shows the proprietors of sis estates to be Trustees of Deponthiew. There were Good Hope, 215 acres, Beaulieu 389 acres, Azimar 256, Ithaca 117 acres, Thuiolleries 238 acres and Maran 160 acres. Deponthieu Stret is also known as 'Cockroach Alley', early in this centure, this street was notorious as a red-light area and at the time a euphemism for prostitute was cockroach.

Gore Street

Named after Lieutenant-General Gore, the Lieutenant Governor under Governor Robert Melville, being absent from the colony in 1768. No other information is given except that he is recorded as having administered the Government in 1765.

Granby Street

The Marquis of Granby, John Manners, was a famous and popular English General who distinguished himself during the Seven Years War in Germany. He retired from the army after the Treaty of Paris in 1763 just when Grenada passed into British hands for the first time and the street would have been named in his honour.

Grand Etang Road/Constitution Hill

Constitutional Hill was the present day street called Grand Etang road. It got its name in 1700 when the town was relocated to its present site and the building which house's Knox House was then the House of Legislature, Governors residence and court house. However, the name vanished in 1775 with the relocation of the house of legislature but came back in 1778 when the house of legislature and Government House was moved to the buildings now used as the general hospital. With the relocation of the house of Legislature to today’s House of Parliament, Market Hill was then called constitutional hill, however the name disappeared during the late 1800's.

Green Street

Colonel Charles Green became Governor of Grenada on March 9th 1797, relieving Lieutenant Governor Alexander Houston and replacing Lor Cranston who, in 1796, was appointed Governor but who died while preparing to leave England.

Grenville Street

William Wyndham Grenville (afterwards Lord Grenville) 1759- 1834, was elected Speaker of the British House of Commons in 1789, appointed Secretary of State for Home Department in 1790 and was made Secretary for Foreign Affairs in 1791. He is recorded as the Secretary of State who administered the affairs of the colonies between June 1789 and May 1791.

HALIFAX STREET

Hospital Street

Hospital Hill, running from the top of St. John's Street to St. George's Cemetery, is the residue of Hospital Street after the lower portion of that street became Church Street.

It’s name arrived from the Hospital which was established upon that hill by the French in 1736. It should be noted that this street first ran the full length of the area ending which Church Street and Government Street which was around today's Simmons Alley. However, after the fires of St. George's many houses were relocated including some of the government, as a result, the greater part of Hospital Street, that from the intersection with today's market hill, became Government Street.

Hughes Street/Jack's Alley

Previously known as "Jacks Alley", this street abutted an open lot now occupied by Cable and Wireless Grenada Ltd. The lot was an open market where was sold among other things, fish and the name may have come from the popular fish "jacks". The street was officially named "Hughes" in honour of a former Mayor of the town, A.Norris Hughes.

Lucas Street

Honourable Willliam Lucas, President of the Legislature, administered the Government in 1785. The ruins of Fort Lucas named after him, are on the Richmond Hill ridge immediately south of Fort Frederick. Lucas Street is also known unofficially as Monstrat while Tyrrel Street presently Hurbert Blaize Street was called MonserratHe .

Old drinking fountain

Old drinking fountain on Lucas Street established around 1898 when the town was given it water system from tanks at Fort Frederick.. the water works from Fort Fredrick started around 1889

Maloney Street

Sir Alfred Malony, formerly Governor of British Honduras, became Governor of the Windward Islands (including Grenada) on June 1st 1897, succeeding Sir Charles Bruce who had been promoted to be Governor of Mauritius and holding that post until December 3rd 1900 when he became Governor of Trinidad and Tobago.

Market Hill

The name Market Hill (see Constitution Hill) is believed to have been given sometimes in the late 1800's as the street plans shows that Granby Street was joined both to Lucas Street and Tyreel Street around the area of police traffic boot. It has a beautiful panoramic view looking down towards the market square and Granby Street and the esplanade. During carnival it is the place where all attention is focused as one anticipate the bands of Jab Jab on a J'Ouvert morning assembling and like a cascading water fall, rushing down that hill into the town.

Matthew Street

Lieutenant General Edward Matthew became Governor of Grenada in 1784, the first person to occupy tat post after Grenada passed finnaly into British hands by the Treaty of Versailles of September 3rd 1783. He held the post until January 1793.

Melville Street/Water Street

Grenada passed into British hands for the first time in 1762 (captured from the French) and on 13th December 1764, the First Governor, Brigader-General Robert Melville, arrived on the island. He left the colony in 1768 for unstated reasons and did not return until 1770, relinquishing the post in March 1771. That street was first called 'Water Street' because people had to collect their water from the St. John's River, therefore had to use this area which was mainly a little track along the beach front. This street also had the town gate and northern walls, remnants of which can still be seen between the Fish Market area and Melville Street Service Centre. Melville Street area was known as Bay Town because of the beach which ran from today's Queens Park to by the Tunnel, was an area for horse training and breaking, running along the beach, even athletes. Quite interesting, up today if you visit the shops such as Dana's Restaurant with their basement, in earlier days there when there was no real street, all the buildings had a basement that linked them to the beach through a series of archways. Therefore you had basement in the bottom, shop in the middle and living quarters above.

Monckton Street

In 1762, General Robert Monckton, commanding 14,000 soldiers, together with Rear Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, captures Martinique from the French, following which small forces were dispatched to successfully capture St. Lucia on 25th February and Grenada on 4th March. In his memory, the fort on todays site of Buttler House was named after him and the Street between the Grenada National Museum and Courts.

Pradine Street

This street was named after the Pradines who had owned many estates in Grenada and properties in the town. This street was located from Young Street to today’s Simmons Alley, close to the Bachelors lodge owned by Mr. Dereck Knights.

Rowley Alley

Rowle Alley was probably called after the Rowley Family which owned property in the area. A Mr. Rowley operated a blacksmith's shop in a building which stood where the premises of the Geedes Grant Division of Geo. F. Huggins & Co. Ltd., now stands in Scott Street. A Samuel Rowley, blacsmith is recorded as being at premises in Scott Street in 1889.

Scott Street

Following the capitulation in 1762 of the French in Grenada to the British, the Government of the island was vested tmporarily in Lieutenant-Governor George Scott of Dominica. He held the post until Governor Matthew was appointed.

Sendall Tunnel

Walter J. Sendall, an Assistant Secretary of the Local government Board of England, arrived in Grenada on June 1st 1885 and assumed the Government. In the Queens Birthday Honours of 1889 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and on 24th November of that year, wa promoted to be Governor of Barbados. Three days before departure for Barbados, on Novemebr 21st, Lady Sendall exploded the first blast for excavation of the tunnel which was to be officially opened in 1895 and called after her husband.

It is also said that Sir Walter Sendall saw he plight of the porters and horse drawn cariages that had to travell up and down Young Street which in those days was not paved, hence when it was wet or rainning it was extremely difficult for both men and horse-drawn carriages to travel so hence he was instrumental in getting that tunnel build to solve that problem. It is also said that another tunnel was proposed to link Gore Stret with Scott Street close to the Grenada Teachers School Supply building or the 'long step'.

Simmons Alley/Church Street

This street is probably named after Mr. Charles Simmons who was a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1876. Monsieur Pinel map of the town shows this street as Church Street and joining Scott Street by steps. However, the steps belonged to the Simmons family who had owned the two houses in that area.

Sloop Lane

The steps and walkway that links todays Simmons Alley (then Church Street) to Young Street was called Sloop Lane as it once gave access to the areas overlooking the Carenage (around Rowley Alley and back of Huggins buildings) where boats were built and launched.

Tryne Alley

The origin of the name 'Tryne has not been discovered, but this alley is comonly known as 'Dottin Alley', probably after the Dottin Family which owned property in this area. The house in Scott Street, directly opposite to the head of Tryne Alley, was built by George Dottin, employing a builder called Nathan Linday (the same person who built 'The Rosary' for T. Albert Maryshow). The house was inherited by two of George Dottin's daughters, Hariette and Annie, who in turn bequethed it to their nephew Clifton Dottin whom they had adopted. Clifton Dottin resided there and operated a guest house there before selling the house to the Grenada Banana Co-operative Society.

Additionally, George Dotton, a blacksmith and horse shoer, is recorded as having been resident in Tryne Alley in 1889. The surname is spelt with an 'o' and not 'i'. The Misses Dottons, dressmakers and milliners, are recorded as being resident in Scott Street in 1889.

Young Street

William Young, Lieutenant Governor of Tobago, assumed responsibility in 1775 for the Government of Grenada after Governor Brigadier-General William Leybourn died in that year. He held the post until 1776 when he succeeded by Sir George (afterwards Lord) Mc Cartney. It is suggested in 'Conception island' by Reymond Devas, that under teh original French colonisation of Grenada present -day Young Street may have been called 'Capuchin Street' so named after the Roman Catholic Capchin Order of Priests. However, historical maps have shown it as Young Cape because there was no road along the carenage, hence this road ended with a jetty.

Office building of Jonas Browne & Hubbards ltd.

building is located at the corner of Young Street and the Carenage. It was built at the end of the 18th century when the town of St. George was destroyed by a major fire. Earlier this century the top flor was used as a residence and subsequently as a member's club ( the St. George's Business Men Club), while the lower flor was used for business purposes.

CHURCHES

Grenada's beautiful churches are today the bastions of love - but it wasn't always so.

Religious tolerance came to Grenada the hard way. Stately church steeples towering over picturesque St. George's symbolize today a high degree of inter-denominational cooperation, but they once stood for hostility and scorn.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

Built around 1820, the church located on Green Street is the best preserved church on the island as there has been no changes made from the time of construction except some butresses after an earthquake.

Sloop Lane

The steps and walkway that links todays Simmons Alley (then Church Street) to Young Street was called Sloop Lane as it once gave access to the areas overlooking the Carenage (around Rowley Alley and back of Huggins buildings) where boats were built and launched.

The Treasury Buildings Carenage Circa 1928

The Treasury Buildings were all part of both the military and governmental operation of Grenada. Built in 1822 as two storey buildings, they were the main Ordinance Depot and handled most of the supplies coming into the Island. The area was also used as the chief landing place for people coming into Grenada up to the 1920s. The Public Library located on the right side of the picture was built in 1892, with is lower floor as the Government’s main warehouse.

The Spout or Water Works was first established during the 1730s and later expended to serve the ships entering the harbour. Plans were being drawn up for its expansion but this was thwarted by the events of the Fedon Rebellion of 1795.

St. George’s Anglican Church Circa 1880s

The St. George’s Anglican Church was built in the last part of the 18^th century and then largely rebuilt in 1825 by the British, is firmly in the Georgian tradition; the church is located on the site of an earlier French Roman catholic church of 1609. A clock installed in 1904 replacing an earlier one keeps the island’s official time by striking the Westminster Chimes. Much of Grenada’s history is revealed through historic plaques

and statues such as the memorials by the baptismal font, which remember those, live lost during the eighteenth century of Fedon’s Rebellion.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Gothic style church was built in 1818, however additions were made together with the tower, dated in the 1880s. It must be noted that today the present Anglican Church was the site of the Catholic Church. After the Fedon Rebellion of 1795, the Catholics were forced to operate from the house on Church Street called Priory.

Roman Catholic Presbytery

This building which was recently as 1998 renovated, was given over to the Roman Catholic Church around 1928 by Mr. Pantin who was the executor of the Will of Mr. Edward Norton who had owned many properties in and around the Town. This house was also called the boarding house as it catered for students from the outer Parishes who attended schools at St. George’s. It is full of history as it was also the home of Mr. William Cockburn who once owned the Grenville Valle Estate and also acted as an ambassador for the British Government.

The priory

This present building, called “the Priory” or “The Priest’s House” is believed to have been constructed in the 1700s by the Roman Catholics as a Presbytery, since it appeared in many of the maps and plans of the town during the 1760's. After the Catholics were expelled from the present day Anglican Church, by the then British authorities, it was used as their church, later it was also used as the first accommodation for the Presentation Brothers. It was sold to a number of owners over the years but a noted change, is the addition of the bay windows when the house was renovated around 1917. This building is a common type of house in Trinidad but it is unique for Grenada.

FORTIFICATIONS

From Ft. George, the outlying forts can all be seen:- The Town of St. George is one of the best Caribbean examples, where the preoccupation of security can be seen as part of the establishment and development of the Island. Thus, the town was like an extension of the fort; hence town and fort carried the same name or it can be said, that the town developed between the forts.

Fort Matthew

Named after Lt. Governor Edward Matthew who was Governor of Grenada from 1784-1793, after the Island was returned to British rule, this fort is the biggest on the Island. It covers the premises from the Richmond Hill arch. It can be described as a siege fort with its features – dry protective moat, draw bridge, a series of underground tunnels, encasemated chambers, guard towers and houses.

Additionally, it had amenities such as three water cisterns capable of containing 88,060 gallons of water, 18^th century army kitchen, two ovens, military barracks, officer’s quarters and barracks, blacksmith shop, placement for mortars to defend the surrounding hills and the largest powder magazine on the island. It was capable of holding 800 barrels of powder and was completed with a cooperage and a shifting house.

After the British withdrew their soldiers in 1854, preparation began for converting it into a lunatic asylum to serve the entire Windward Island. This was realized in 1880.

In 1983 because of its close proximity to Fort Frederick, United States jets resulting in the death of some inmates mistakenly bombed it. The ruin of the officer’s quarters is testimony. In 1987, it was abandoned for the new site at Mt. Gay.

FORT FREDERICK

Probably the best-preserved fort on the Island, and on the Richmond heights, is Fort Frederick. Called the Prince Frederick Redoubt, then Fort Frederick after the second son of King George111, it commands a strategic 360degrees view at 730 feet above sea level. It was the principal battery which had the heaviest fire power on the Island, mounting four (4) thirty two (32) pounders.

Interesting to note, it is said that it was on this fort that Henry Christopher, a past rules of Haiti was working as a slave from the San Souci Estate when he stowed away to Haiti.

Fort Frederick consist of 4 levels, the upper called the place of arms with its powder magazine, the second level with water cisterns, encasemated chambers and gun batteries, and the third level with an interesting network of tunnels built for provision store. It was also involved in the events of 1983 as it is said that the signal for the attack on Fort George came form there. Later on members of the Revolutionary Military Council hid themselves within the chambers.

THE GENERAL HOSPITAL COMPOUND

These buildings were built by the French as barrack building as part of the Fort George Military Complex. Later, however, the British re-built some of these building in 1778 to accommodate the relocated Governor’s residence and legislature after the last fire of 1775. When in control of Grenada, for a second time, the French built additional barracks to serve Fort George during the 1780’s. After the withdrawal of British troops in1854, the buildings then became the colony Hospital.

Upon the removal of the imperial Garrison from the Colony the barracks in the precincts of Fort George were utilized as the principal Hospital. Those building were situated at the southwestern extremity of the promontory on which the town of St. George’s is built. They were thoroughly reconstructed in 1885 to 1887 when a sum of 3825 pounds was spent for improvement. Further improvements have since taken place.

A maternity ward was added in 1912 and a new Children’s ward named “Norton Ward which contain twelve (12) cots was built and officially opened on the 31^st of August 1931. The ward was a generous gift of Mr. H F Partin and his mother in memory of the late Mr. Edwin Norton, a former respected merchant of this island.

A private patient’s block was erected in 1921 and provides accommodation for adult patient in separate rooms. In 2002 the building was knock down by Government in its modernization of the old compound.

Marine Villa

This building was constructed during the 1790s as the Royal artillery Officers Quarters. In 1804, it was converted into the Royal Artillery Officers Hospital then reverted to the commandant’s quarters before 1880. In 1894, it was used a temporary ulcer and yaws Hospital. Years later after being properly fumigated it became the home of the commissioner of the police. At present it is used as the Department of Housing of the Ministry of Health.

Bachelor's Lodge

This is a group of buildings, which starts along the Anglican Church onto today’s Simmons alley. They were given this name because they once were the homes of the married and single officers of the British Royal Artillery serving at Fort George.

QUEEN'S PARK

Queen's Park approximately 50 acres of lands, was bequeathed to the people of Grenada in 1897 by Mrs. Dabeau, after whom this area was named, and converted as a public play ground. Historically it was a swampy area where the St. John’s River ended and regarded as the site that once had the best stratification of Arawak pottery on the Island. The presence of these people can still be observed on one of the best work stone which has been relocated in front of the offices of the Forestry and National Parks Office Buildings.

But there is another side of Queen’s Park as it marks the northern boundaries of the Town of St. George. It also formed part of the lands given over to the Roman Catholic Brothers to finance the Colony Hospital. The area still has another side to it, as it lies next to a common Caribbean feature, River Road which developed over the last centuries as a washer women camp. It was an area only inhabited by the women who washed for the soldiers and merchants of the town. However, the men were able to sneak into this area at nights but had to leave first thing in the morning before “birds wives wake”.