Black River
Good things come from
Small Towns

Black River. You can't help but feel strongly about the place where your family has lived for 6 generations.

My hometown is a place where you can relax and breathe deeply, and take time to enjoy life's small pleasures.



The town sits at the mouth of the river from which it gets its name. Up to the early 20th century it was a bustling commercial centre at the forefront of many developments taking place in Jamaica.You'd never guess it now, but it was the first town in Jamaica to get electricity, had the first telephone exchange, received Jamaica's first car, and had the best racetrack on the island.

You can see traces of the town's former glory in the 18th and 19th century buildings still standing in the town...

What drove this development? Logwood. This tree was used to produce natural blue-black dye which was in demand in Europe. The logs were floated down the river, and the town was the main port from which they were shipped abroad. With the development of synthetic dyes, the industry declined and Black River's life in the fast lane slowed to a crawl.

And many of us don't mind. We may moan and groan about the limitations of our small town, but we love its peaceful nature and calm pace. And we feel we're are an important part of Jamaican history. Click here for great pictures and information on Black River history.

The town today is a picturesque seaside haven for both residents and visitors. Here are some of the things you might like to try if you spend some time with us...

• Take a trip up the Black River - see crocodiles, water birds, mangroves, water lillies on a 3 mile journey up Jamaica's longest navigable river. There are 3 established safaris, which offer tours up the river.

  Irie Safari 876-965-2211
  Black River Safari Boat tours 876-965-2513
  St. Elizabeth Safaris 876-965-2374/2229

Click here for more pictures of Black River Jamaica. Crocodiles included!

• Go fishing - There are many spots by the river or sea where you can throw your line. Dee's Marine Shop has supplies. Or you can charter a fishing boat to take you out to sea, or on the river. Call Lando (willing, able and pleasant) at 387-8008.



• Go kayaking - Irie Safari rents kayaks and also does birdwatching and moonlight tours up the river on request.



• Birdwatching - Every afternoon as the sun starts to set, white cattle egrets, herons and other waterbirds make their way home to the mangroves which line the shores of the river. By dusk the trees are covered with hundreds of birds. Bring your repellant, as mosquitos come out at dusk too, and their favourite food is tourist! And any garden with flowers will have birds. In my yard alone there are hummingbirds, a patoo (owl), a woodpecker, nightingales, quits and many I can't identify.
• Take a morning or evening walk along the sea wall -

  In the early morning the sea looks like textured blue glass. In the middle of the day it gets moody, and it's a really hot walk. But at sunset the water is golden, and in the moonlight, sparkles bounce off the tops of the waves. The sunrises and sunsets range from beautiful to outrageously beautiful, the colours from soft peach to crimson.





• Visit historic sites - St. John's Parish Church is a treasure trove of Jamaican history. Make sure to read the gravestones which date as far back as 1788, and the impressive monuments inside the church. Notice the 107 year old working pipe organ, the arches which are a theme throughout the building, the tiling, and the 175 large granite slabs in the perimeter wall. Sunday Service at 8 am is a cultural and often moving experience, British and African heritage fused in worship.

  The former Farquharson Wharf, on the northwestern side of the Black River bridge, was the site of a thriving slave auction. Notices were published in the papers describing the slaves to be sold, and the landed proprietors would arrive in their tandems to make their purchases. Today there is a monument to the Africans on the Zong, a slave ship whose Captain drowned scores of prospective slaves in order to collect insurance.

• Go to a session - Despite the town's quiet disposition, we do live up to the Jamaican reputation of having lots of bars per sqare mile! Open every night and day, on the weekend one or more of these is likely to have something going on. Waterloo is a pretty safe bet on a Friday night. On certain weeknights there's likely to be a Round Robin dance somewhere in the vicinity. Just ask.



• Go to the beach - Parrottee, 10 minutes drive east of the town. Fonthill Beach Park, 15 minutes drive west of the town (closed Mondays, US$4 for adults). Heavy Sands, 10 minutes walk east of the Black River bridge is great for long walks on the beach and watching fishermen pull in their catch. Swim here with care, as the occasional croc has been seen swimming close to the river mouth.



• Genesis Steel Band - Rehearsal at the Parish Church every Friday night at 7pm. Visitors are welcome to listen, and if you ask nicely, they'll even let you try out the steel pans.
• Stargaze - As a child, on moonless nights I learned the constellations from my father and my older sisters. Orion, Seven Sisters, Big Dipper, Southern Cross all on display for free. Really beautiful on a clear night.

I'll let you discover some things for yourself. But be sure not to miss Sunrise Bakery's coco bread. Their peg bread and hardough bread are really good too - I don't think peg bread is made anywhere else in Jamaica. There are also a number of small restaurants offering tasty local food.

And if you time your visit for Easter (beaches are at their best at that time), you won't want to miss our hugely popular Flower Show.

Black River is a good base for visiting other interesting places in St. Elizabeth, such as Accompong, YS Falls, Treasure Beach, Appleton Estate, Bamboo Avenue, Lover's Leap, Pelican Bar.

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