OLD SUGAR RUIN - ROUND PILLARS PARADISE ESTATE Print E-mail
Written by Michael Jessamy   
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These rounded pillars were the base for parts of the old

Aqueduct system and for buildings such as the curing house

Paradise Estate was one of the early large estates in Grenada.  Started by the French, the 646 acres sugar plantation was sold over during the period of cession to L. Maclean, Esq. and Simon and Hankey Esq.  By 1772 it became part of a group of plantation, including Grand Bras, Boulogne and Chantilly, totally some 1120 acres with 383 slaves and six (6) estates works.  In 1795-6, the estates was the center of a number of pitch battles between the British and the supporters of Fedon, resulting in the destruction of the estate, a fate it never fully recovered from. As the area controlled some of the approaches to both Telescope Point and Pilot Hill, it was caught in the middle of the battle field.

By the early 1800s, the 317 acres estate was sold to T. and J. Bulkely. In recent years, the property became one of the government owned estates.

Old water wheel as it lays covered by the vegetation, right under the base of the cliff where the Negro houses were located.  This area was one of the defensive positions during the Fedon Rebellion that was fought over for.  This area is also linked to the approaches of both Pilot Hill and Telescope Point

 

These historical structures should be incorporated in the management of Progress Park Playing field and surrounding areas, such as Telescope. Presently, there is a small coastal battery on the Telescope Point that is in dire need of preservation.  Such site should be conserved as future recreational parks for the following reasons:-

 

  1. Telescope Point is the natural buffer for the protection of the Town of Grenville
  2. The small Fort at Telescope played an important role in the Fedon's Rebellion of 1795 however, the absence of a major town in Grenville was the only reason why a major fort was not built on this point to house an entire battalion.  This point had been singled out as the best defensive position on Grenada by the British Military.