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Kingston
Walking Tours
Hope
Road Kingston Heritage
Introduction
A
walk along Hope Road reveals Jamaica’s
fascinating heritage, rich history and diverse
culture. From our hypnotic Reggae music and
colourful performing arts, to our grand old
homes and famous landmarks, you’ll experience
and see it all, while strolling along one of
the main roads in our vibrant capital city.
Start: Bob Marley Museum
Finish: St Andrew Parish Church
The
Tour
1.
BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
Brilliant red, green and yellow colours decorate
the exterior of 56 Hope Road, the former home
of Reggae Icon, Bob Marley. In recent times,
the house and its garden have been transformed
into one of Kingston’s premier attractions
–a museum, showcasing the life, music
and accomplishments of the late Honourable Robert
Nesta Marley.
Take
a guided tour of the Marley complex. Inside
the house, you’ll see some of Marley’s
personal effects and treasured mementos. In
the award room, browse through an impressive
collection of Marley’s prestigious awards,
including the Grammy Life Time Achievement Award,
given to his family in 2001.
In
addition to being Marley’s personal residence,
56 Hope Road was also the site of Ziggy’s
Record Manufacturing, and Tuff Gong Record Shop
and Recording Studio. Today, the factory has
been converted into an exhibition hall with
rare photos of Marley and his family. The exhibit
also displays some of Marley’s cherished
possessions such as his favourite guitar and
mixing console.
Around
the house, you’ll discover a collection
of small shops and boutiques, tucked away in
cosy, tree-shaded corners. Make sure to check
out the gift shop, which is Jamaica’s
sole supplier of the trendy “CATCH A FIRE”
clothing line, designed by Marley’s eldest
child Cedella. The Gift Shop also sells Bob
Marley footwear and other souvenir items like
posters and key chains. You’ll find more
souvenirs in the boutique, THINGS FROM AFRICA,
and tons of musical gems at TUFF GONG RECORD
SHOP. Facing the house, to your right is Sunfire
Juice Club and Restaurant, serving “Ital”
food and natural fruit juices.
The
museum is open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30am
to 4:00pm, but is closed on public holidays.
The tour takes about 1 hour and includes a 20-minute
video presentation about Bob Marley’s
life.
Exit through the Museum’s ornate iron-gate
and begin walking in a westward direction along
Hope Road. At the intersection with Lady Musgrave
Road stands the stately gate to:
2. KINGS HOUSE
Kings House was built as the home of the Lord
Bishop of Jamaica. It was bought from the church
in 1871 for £6,000 and became the official
residence of the island’s governor in
1872, when Jamaica’s capital was transferred
from Spanish Town to Kingston. At that time,
a ballroom and dinning room were added to the
original 18th century structure. The earthquake
of 1907 destroyed the building, which was redesigned
and rebuilt in 1909. Today, it is the official
residence of the Governor General, Sir Howard
Cooke, and his wife, Lady Cooke, and is often
used as a venue for state functions. The list
of dignitaries entertained at Kings House includes
HRH Queen Elizabeth II, former US President
Lyndon B Johnson and HIM Haile Selassie I. If
you’d like to join the list of honoured
guests, you may request to visit Kings House
by writing a letter to:
The Governor General
Kings House, Hope Road
Kingston 6
Kings
House and Lady Musgrave Road share an interesting
story. It is rumoured that a former governor
of Jamaica built the road on the request of
his wife. At the time of the road’s construction,
Kings House was the official residence of the
governor of Jamaica. The main route from Kings
House to the busy districts of Cross Roads and
Downtown Kingston was along Hope Road, past
Devon House. Lady Musgrave, wife of Governor
Musgrave, reportedly appalled by the fact that
a black man had managed to build such a prominent
house (Devon House) in close proximity to the
governor’s residence, refused to drive
past the building. In order to appease his wife,
Governor Musgrave organized the construction
of a road that by-passed Devon House en route
to Cross Roads and Downtown Kingston. The road
was named after Lady Musgrave.
Beside Kings House you’ll see the gate
to:
3. JAMAICA HOUSE
Built in the 1960s as the official residence
of the Prime Minister of a newly independent
Jamaica, Jamaica House now serves as the offices
of the island’s leaders.
Immediately next door to Jamaica House is:
4. THE RANNY WILLIAMS ENTERTAINMENT
CENTRE/LOUISE BENNETT GARDEN THEATRE
Appropriately named in honour of two of Jamaica’s
leading performers, Ranny Williams and Louise
Bennett, this complex plays host to many of
Kingston’s cultural events, including
the Jamaica Festival Queen Contest, Mento Yard
and the Jonkunnu Mento Festival.
Louise
Bennett is arguably Jamaica’s most famous
writer, folklorist, television personality and
actress. She has lectured and performed extensively
throughout the Caribbean, United Kingdom and
Canada and has published several notable anthologies.
“Miss Lou,” as she is affectionately
called, has received numerous awards, including
the prestigious Order of Jamaica and Order of
Merit for her contribution to Jamaica’s
literary and performing arts.
Like
Louise Bennett, Ranny Williams has starred in
many Jamaican Pantomimes and Television shows.
“Maas Ran” and “Miss Lou”
shared the screen for the smash hit series “Comedy
Hours”.
Continue walking along Hope Road to the intersection
with Waterloo Road and you’ll see:
5. DEVON HOUSE
Resting behind elegant palm trees and a picturesque
fountain, this graceful house adorns Hope Road.
It is thought to be one of the finest examples
of the Jamaican-Vernacular style of architecture,
popular in the 19th century. In 1881, Devon
House was built by George Stiebel, a black Jamaican,
self-made millionaire, and former Custos of
St Andrew. The first house of its stature built
and owned by a black man in Jamaica, Devon House
became a symbol of hope and achievement for
the first generation of Jamaicans freed from
slavery.
Today,
the government of Jamaica owns the house and
its grounds. Over the years they have carefully
preserved the main building, which still houses
many impressive pieces of 19th century furniture.
The grounds have been beautifully landscaped
and promise a serene haven with park benches
resting under cool, shady trees. In the buildings
beside the main house, you’ll find a fantastic
collection of craft shops, boutiques, restaurants
and cafés. The Devon House complex includes
Jamaica’s most popular ice-cream shop
with unique, delightful flavours such as Dragon
Stout and Blue Mountain Coffee ice cream. There’s
also the Brick Oven, a sweet-smelling bakery
with sinful pastries, freshly baked in a 19th
century oven. On the main house’s porch,
you’ll discover Norma’s on the Terrace,
one of Kingston’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Devon
House is also a popular venue for art, craft
and food fares. Check with the Jamaica Tourist
Board for a schedule of upcoming events. If
you’re in luck, you’ll get a chance
to take part in these special occasions.
From Devon House, proceed west along Hope Road
to:
6. HALF-WAY-TREE AND THE CLOCK TOWER
This busy road junction and commercial centre
gleaned its name from a huge cotton tree that
towered over the landscape until the 1870s,
when it perished. The tree was a major meeting
point for travellers and traders coming to and
from Kingston, Spanish Town, St Georges (Portland)
and St Mary. Often these weary souls would stop
at the pubs and stalls, under the tree’s
shade, because it was the city’s halfway
point between the markets and residential areas.
Today,
Half-Way-Tree is still a halfway point between
Constant Spring and Downtown, and Papine and
Six Miles (formerly called Ferry). It also continues
to be a major transit point for commuters; in
fact it is the second largest bus and taxi terminus
in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. At the intersection
of Constant Spring Road, Hope Road, Hagley Park
Road and Half-Way-Tree Road stands the Half-Way-Tree
Clock, atop a Victorian-era clock tower. The
tower and clock were built by public subscription
in 1913 as a memorial to King Edward VII of
England; on the north side is a bust of the
king, and the inscription “Edward VII,
Peacemaker”.
Beside the bus depot is the Nelson Mandela Park
7. MANDELA PARK
Named for the anti-apartheid activist and former
President of South Africa, this park is used
as a venue for political and religious meetings.
Nelson Mandela and his ex-wife Winnie Mandela
visited Jamaica on Mandela’s post-release
world tour. Mandela is regarded as akin to a
hero in Jamaica, where the anti-apartheid movement
was particularly intense.
Cross over Constant Spring Road and continue
west on Hagley Park Road. On passing the bus
depot to your left, the old courthouse stands
to the right at the intersection of Hagley Park
and Eastwood Park roads.
8. THE OLD COURT HOUSE BUILDING
Formerly the St Andrew Parish Courthouse, this
picturesque building is casually called the
“old Half Way Tree Courthouse”.
Constructed in 1807, it was recently renovated
by the Jamaica Historical Buildings Trust. The
building, with its green louvered windows and
closed veranda, is a fine example of the 19th
century Jamaican Vernacular style of architecture.
Today, the Institute of Jamaica leases the building
and uses it as a Junior Centre.
Adjoining the courthouse is the:
9. ST ANDREW PARISH CHURCH
One of the oldest churches on the island, the
original St Andrew Parish Church was founded
in 1666, shortly after the British conquered
Jamaica. The present building was completed
in 1700. The church was designed in the neo-Gothic
architectural style popular at the time. Over
the years, the structure has been expanded and
renovated numerous times. Its walls protect
many interesting artefacts, including the oldest
church registers on the island, dating from1666.
Visit the cemetery, behind the church, and read
the informative and interesting inscriptions
on the old tombstones.
Links
& Sources:
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