Berl Francis | Falmouth comes into its own – again

After decades of being known as ‘a town with a history’, in recognition of its former pride of place as one of the leading towns in the English-speaking Caribbean, Falmouth has risen to reclaim its premier position in the story of Jamaica.

It regularly welcomes some of the largest cruise ships plying the Caribbean Sea.

In its heyday in the late 18th and up to the mid-19th century, the town was synonymous with prosperity. Falmouth was considered to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Western world. The town had five newspapers, an active literary and fine arts society and fresh running water. Falmouth had piped water before New York City. It was also home to a large number of merchant shops and traders selling sugar, rum, fine furniture and logwood. As well, it is still home to the Albert George Market, the largest and most popular coastal food market at the time, established in 1895. The market gets its name from Queen Victoria’s two sons – Albert and George. Renamed the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, nowadays the market sells mainly crafts.

For the heritage history buff, Falmouth is a virtual gold mine. In the late 1700s, nearly 100 Trelawny plantations were actively manufacturing sugar and rum to export to Britain. Jamaica during this time was the leading sugar producer. In the late 1800s, following the demise of sugar as a globally lucrative agricultural export product, Falmouth began a steady decline in importance.

GEORGIAN STRUCTURES

The town is known for having some of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian structures, including, the Falmouth Parish Church. Built in 1795, and also known as St. Peter’s Anglican Church, it is one of the oldest public building in the town. Some of the finest representations of buildings from the period are to be found here, and each of these structures tells a unique tale of different people’s lifestyles and of the economic and social significance of the town better than any written record could represent. In recognition of its rich historical legacy, Falmouth has been declared a Jamaica National Monument.

A committee of professionals, academics and concerned citizens formed the Falmouth Restoration Company, and this group has been managing and overseeing the restoration of buildings on a case-by-case basis. Their remit is to preserve the historic integrity of Falmouth while promoting a better understanding of the history of the town, in particular. Perhaps the most encouraging trend in the restoration of the town is the fact that not only are large public buildings and the grand homes of the merchant and planter classes being restored, but also small private homes of the working classes.

Falmouth has maintained a long and distinguished reputation as a centre for commerce, both in the formal and informal sectors. There is a food market, one of the largest and most

well-attended – especially on Wednesdays – when traders from all over the island congregate for ‘Bend-down market’. Consumers can purchase all sorts of foodstuffs, haberdashery and home items at some of the best prices available on the north coast.

The town now has a tourist business, primarily through the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier. The port, which opened in 2011, was built to accommodate the newest and largest cruise ships. Falmouth Port is one of the largest in the region and is capable of hosting super-liners carrying up to 5,000 passengers. Many ships dock at the pier weekly, allowing visitors to enjoy the rich culture of the town, authenticated by an impressive history.

Jamaica’s first artisan village had its soft opening in March 2024. Designed to be a hub for authentic Jamaican products, the facility is themed to tell the story of Falmouth.

Combining a fascinating maritime heritage, historic architecture and modern creativity, Falmouth is building a name for itself as one of the Caribbean’s leading cultural destinations.

Berl Francis is a communication consultant and former director of communication at the Ministry of Tourism. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.