By Ken
Roueche
PORTLAND:
THE OTHER JAMAICA offers a glimpse into the history of this most beautiful
parish, stretching from Buff Bay to Hector's River and up the many river
valleys to the Blue Mountains. Portland has been home to some remarkable
people, including more than a few dreamers, schemers and crusaders. Shaped by
the heavy hand of Mother Nature Portland is blessed with outstanding beauty and
challenged by remarkable geography, which provided a perfect homeland for the
Windward Maroons as they fled the terror of colonial oppression under the
spiritual leadership Nanny. The 1739 Maroon Treaty was followed by the invasion
of British planters with their toxic mix of slavery, violence and sugar.
The end
of slavery opened up abandoned plantations and mountain villages to modest
opportunities for liberated slaves. Within a generation their sons and
daughters were enterprising banana farmers responding to the call from Captain
Baker to grow banana for the world. Portland soon became the "Banana
Capital of the World". This was followed by the arrival of the railway
which spurred even more banana production and helped launch the tourist
industry and the building of the Titchfield Hotel.
Many of
the world's major events have shaped Portland's history, including Port
Antonio's strategic location during the Spanish American War and the loss of so
many young men during the Great War. The Parish has also been blessed with
great leaders including Captain Quao, Ken Jones, Sir Harold Allan and many
others. In recent years Portland has also attracted the attention of Hollywood
stars, starting with Errol Flynn and followed by Queens, Princes, Princesses,
Barons, Captains of Industry and more movie stars. And today the dreamers and
schemers are still coming to Portland.
