February 16, 2023
Our next stop was a brief one in Spanish Town, the Spanish and then British capital of Jamaica from 1534 until 1872, a period of 338 years.
On our way there we passed this interesting street sign. I have no idea why a hamburger would adorn a street sign, but it made me hungry. Maybe that is the point?
When we were researching where to go in Jamaica, I checked what the U.S. State Department had to say about safety. They gave Spanish Town a 4, which essentially means "Don't go there." When Bob asked his contact in Jamaica about that, she just laughed and said not to worry, just don't go at night. That was somewhat comforting.
Originally called Villa de la Vega, the city was the second capital of the royal Spanish realm of Jamaica. It was seized in 1655 when English troops conquered the island, and the English renamed the area "Spanish Town." Jamaica's wealth was on full display here for the next 217 years. The most notable events that occurred around its main square include the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1834 and the Full Freedom proclamation in 1838. In 1872 the seat of government was moved to Kingston.
We focused on the four large buildings that border Emancipation Square.
This is the "Old King's House," erected in 1762. For almost 100 years, it was the residence of the governor of Jamaica. The aforementioned Emancipation Proclamation of 1834 was read from its steps. From a distance, it still looks pretty grand.
