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A bird identification guide with information on over 332 tropical birds and over 820 photographs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trinidad has a wide variety of places to visit that are of interest either because of their historical, geological or ecological importance. Below we provide information on some of these places of interest. Clicking on the place name in the listing will take you directly to the information on that place of interest. Location information is provided for each place.

To find Natural Attractions such as caves, mud volcanos, savannahs and the Pitch Lake, go to our Natural Attractions Page. Information on the various waterfalls can be found on the Waterfalls Page, while the Beaches Page provides information on the beaches of Trinidad.

To find the locations referred to on this page in the overall geographic space of Trinidad, see the Trinidad Map

 

Galera Lighthouse
Chacachacare
San Diego Islands
Five Islands
Gasparee Island
Chaguaramas Historical Sights
Chaguaramas Military History Museum
North Post
River Estate Museum
Fort George
Museum of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Central Bank Money Museum
Port of Spain Museum
National Museum
Memorial Park
Queen's Park Savannah
Gingerbread House
Magnificent Seven
Botanical Gardens
Emperor Valley Zoo
President's House
Knowlsey
Red House
Former Police Headquarters
Other Colonial Architecture
Woodford Square
Portuguese Association
Treasury Building
Brian Lara Promenade
Citigate
Port of Spain Lighthouse
Fort Abercromby
San Juan Mystery Statue
St Joseph
Caura
Lopinot
Cleaver Woods Museum
Arima Landmarks
Arena Amerindian Site
Brasso Seco
Valencia Pillars
Pius Holdings Park Valencia
The Indian Caribbean Museum
Claxton Bay Maiden
Pointe-a-Pierre Train Station
Harris Promenade
The Company Villages
Knollys Tunnel Tabaquite
Former Mayaro Post Office
Other Mayaro Sites
Fyzabad Heritage Park
Charlie King Junction
Penal Island Park
Oil Fields
Point Fortin
Markets
U.S. Army Bases in Trinidad

Other places of interest can also be found on the Religious Sites Page and the Birding Hotspots Page.

Galera Lighthouse

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At the north eastern tip of Trinidad, east of Toco, Galera Point is a rocky outcrop where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic Ocean. Thick beds of quartzitic grits, which are very hard coarsely crystalline rocks, are intercalated among the schists to form a conspicuous headland. It is said that in the 17th century Amerindians threw themselves to their deaths from Galera Point rather than be captured by the Spanish. It is the destination for Orisha devotees, celebrating the Olukun Festival (Celebration of the Ocean), who on February 21 every year, start their pilgrimage from the Port of Spain lighthouse. On December 7th 1941, in the waters off Galera Point, two merchant ships carrying bauxite from Suriname were sunk by torpedoes from a German U boat.

The Toco lighthouse, built in 1897, stands tall on a promontory overlooking crashing waves. This lighthouse is a twin in design to the Chacachacare Lighthouse. On the Galera Lighthouse are the letters VR and J which commemorate the 50th jubilee of Victoria Regina. At certain times the lighthouse is open and with the permission of the lighthouse keeper you can ascend the steps. A park and picnic area have been developed around the lighthouse. There are numerous benches and picnic tables shaded by the spreading branches of almond and sea grape trees. As a result of the constant northeast trade winds the vegetation like chaparral is permanently bent to the south west.

 

 

 

 

Chacachacare

Chacachacare Island was named Chacachacare by the Amerindians and is the westernmost of the Bocas Islands which belong to Trinidad and Tobago. It lies in the Bocas del Dragón (Dragons' Mouth) between Trinidad and Venezuela. Originally named El Caracol (the Snail) by Christopher Columbus because of its shape, at various times Chacachacare has served as a cotton plantation, a whaling station and a leper colony. Between the period 1777 and 1794, cotton was the major agricultural export of Trinidad with Chacachacare being the largest producer. Up until 1810 cotton was still the major crop being produced on the island but a fall in prices and the boll weevil pest led to a decline in production.

The closeness of the island to Venezuela, being only seven miles from the mainland, meant that there was frequent movement between Venezuela and Chacachacare, particularly to the Venezuelan port of Guira. Venezuelan revolutionary Santiago Mariño who was educated in Port of Spain and whose family lived on Chacachacare, used the island as a base for his 1813 invasion of Venezuela.

By 1920, several hundred persons lived on Chacachacare, a school had been established with approximately 60 students and a church existed at La Chapelle Bay. In 1921, the government decided to establish a leper colony and appropriated all the land, forcing the inhabitants to leave. All persons with leprosy were required to live at Chacachacare. These patients were cared for by the Dominican Sisters and from 1945 by the U.S. Sisters of Mercy. Ten sisters died during their time on the island and are buried in a cemetery at Marine Bay on Chacachacare. The leprosarium lasted until the last patient left in 1984.

In 1943, part of the island was given to the US armed forces and a battalion of 600 men was based on the island. They built nine military barracks, installed coastal defense guns and built a road to the top of the 865-foot (260-meter) main peak.

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This 900 acre island is 10 miles long (15 kilometers) and two miles wide at its widest. It comprises of eight beaches, a light house, a saltwater pond and dramatic cliffs. At present the island is uninhabited and used for camping and picnics with the most popular beach being La Tinta Bay. The island is often visited by yachts and there is a company that organizes day trips to the island plus water taxis will transport persons to the island. Chacachacare Island  has good anchorage at Chacachacare Bay and La Tinta Bay on the west side. If you land at Chapelle Bay there's a leisurely walk to the Salt Pond with lovely views of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Paria. The Salt Pond made up of hypersaline water has marshy fringes which promote the growth of peculiar trees like the campecho - the bread and cheese tree.  

One of the attractions on Chacachacare is the Lighthouse, which  is identical to the lighthouse at Galera Point in Toco. The walk to the lighthouse is an uphill hike along a paved road. It is possible to visit the buildings of the former leper colony and from Perruquier Bay one takes the road to the Lighthouse and then turns right immediately on the first bend as the road climbs uphill. The track to the former Leper colony is narrow and proceeds along the side of the hill.

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Various parts of the leper colony are still standing and as you enter Perruquier Bay, the former doctor's house can been seen on the northern side in Rust Bay while the remains of the nun's quarters can be seen on the southern side climbing the hills of La Chapelle Bay.

 

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San Diego Islands

These islands which are sometimes referred to simply as the Diego Islands, comprise of two islets that lie between the Bocas Islands and the Five Islands.

Cronstadt (Kronstadt)
Carrera

These islands are composed of limestone being the remnants of a reef. They are a mile west of the Five Islands and directly opposite Point Gourde in Chaguaramas. At the change of the tides and when the there is a prevailing east wind, the currents between the islands and Point Gourde is strong.

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Kronstadt Island is eleven and three quarter acres and was previously known as Begorrat Island. During the period 1850 to 1970, limestone was mined from the island and it was also used as a holiday resort. Today the island is a Wild Life Refuge and part is used for the processing of barytes for the oil industry.

 

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It is believed that from approximately 1854 to 1875, Carrera Island was used as a convict depot with the prisoners being used to quarry limestone that was used for road building. In 1877 construction of a permanent prison was begun. Carrera Island remains today a prison island.

 

Five Islands

The Five Islands are a group of actually six small islands lying west of Port of Spain in the Gulf of Paria. They are also known as Las Cotorras.

Caledonia Island
Craig Island (Craig and Caledonia are joined by a narrow reef)
Lenagan Island
Nelson Island
Pelican Island

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These islands are the remnants of a raised reef and composed of limestone.

Nelson Island is famous as the disembarkation point and quarantine station for indentured immigrants to Trinidad and Tobago during the period 1866 to 1917. During this period 2,645 Chinese immigrants and 114,000 Indian immigrants were processed through the island. It is Trinidad and Tobago's equivalent of Ellis Island in New York. Those who had contagious diseases were transferred to Lenagan island.

In the 1930s Nelson Island was used as a detention center for prisoners, among them Tubal Uriah Butler. During World War I, a gun emplacement was built at the eastern end of the island and a causeway to Rock Island to the west. During the Second Wold War, all persons with Austrian or German passports, who were mainly refugee Jews, were interred on the five Islands with the men being kept on Nelson Island and the women on Caledonia Island. Nelson Island became a detention center again in 1970 following the Black Power Revolution when 50 Black Power activists were housed there. The former detention centers are still standing on Nelson Island.

Caledonia Island was an officially designated place for performing marriage ceremonies. In 1840 Lord Harris spent his honeymoon on the island with his Trinidadian bride. On November 13th 1957, Dr. Eric Williams (the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago) married Dr Mayleen Mook Sang on Caledonia island.

 

Gasparee Island

Gaspar Grande, also known as Gasparee Island is a mile and a half long by half mile in width, totaling 129 hectares (319 acres) and reaches a height of 339 feet (103 metres). The island is approximately three-quarters of a mile south of the Coast Guard station at Staubles Bay. The island was granted to Gaspar de Percin la Roque in 1783 by Governor Chacon and over time became known as Gaspar Grande. The island is today primarily a vacation spot with numerous holiday homes and its most famous attraction are the Gasparee Caves.

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Gaspar Grande has had an interesting past and the remnants of its past are other reasons to visit. During the period 1826 to 1864, the island had a whaling industry with Point Baleine, located on the western end, being a whaling station. The translation of the French name "Point Baleine" means whaling point. At the top of the island are the remnants of a Spanish fort constructed in 1796. During World War I, a 4.7 inch cannon was installed on the ridge overlooking Point Baleine. During World war II another cannon was installed on the ridge. At the end of the war, two 6 inch guns replaced the original 4.7 inch cannons. These guns are still present on the island and are a 25 minute walk from Point Baleine.

Gasparee is a very dry limestone island with average annual rainfall of under 40 inches. It nevertheless has interesting flora and fauna. On the island can be seen Saltfishwood and Naked Indian trees along with Silk Cotton and wild Balata trees. Throughout the island cactus are found. There are a dozen species of lizards including the Twenty-four hours, Turnip-tailed Gecko and Iguana. There are several species of insect and fruit eating bats. There is also the Noctilio leporinus (fishing bat) which emerge at dusk to skim the surface of the water to capture sardines. The bird population includes Yellow-headed Parrots, Rufous-necked Wood-rails, White-tipped Doves, Golden Orioles, Tropical Mockingbirds, Palm Tanagers, White-lined Tanagers, Copper-rumped Hummingbirds, Rufous Night Jars and Pigmy Owls.

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Chaguaramas Historical Sights

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On some maps the road to Macqueripe Bay is shown as the Macqueripe Mail Road and that is because prior to the British conquest, the mail for Trinidad was landed at Macqueripe Bay, to avoid sailing through the Bocas, and then brought overland along this road. On the Macqueripe Road can be seen the remains of St Chad's Anglican Church which was built in 1850 and then rebuilt in 1875 and again rebuilt in 1915. Near to St Chad's is the former village of Mount Pleasant which was created by the former slaves after Emancipation. Throughout the village are various trees including mango, coconut, breadfruit, citrus, sapodilla, banana and avocado. This must indeed have been a pleasant place with all these fruit bearing trees and the La Cuesa River nearby.

Throughout Chaguaramas can also be seen many of the building that were built by the US Army when Chaguaramas was a military base during World War Two. In particular there are numerous bunkers that are built into the earth.

 

Chaguaramas Military History Museum

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Just off the Western Main Road in Chaguaramas, immediately after the Convention Center and immediately before the Coastguard heliport lies the Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum. Consisting of 12,000 square feet of indoor displays along with outdoor items and memorials on a 4-acre site, the museum traces the military history of Trinidad. Beginning with the Amerindians and coming up to the present day, this museum chronicles both the raids and battles that took place in Trinidad along with the involvement of Trinidadians in wars that took place in other parts of the world. The use of Trinidad as a planning or staging area for attacks on other countries is also highlighted.

There is an extensive section devoted to the Conquistadors and the three hundred years of Spanish rule, culminating in the British capture of the island in 1797. The exhibits examine the British Colonial period of the Napoleonic Wars and its effect on South America leading the visitor up to the end of the 19th century, tracing racing the History of Military affairs on the island. The period of the First World War, through the Second World War and up to Operation Desert Storm are showcased.

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Within the museum are samples of the weapons used in each era and the uniforms of the various military units. There are artifacts, models, photographs, documents and vehicles on display. There are articles giving extensive coverage of each period and personal mementos giving insights into the life and feelings of the men-at-arms.  The coverage is so wide and interesting that it is possible to spend most of the day reading the articles.

Two of the highlights of a visit to the Chaguaramas Military History Museum are the recreation of a pirate raid on St Joseph (the former capital) and the recreation of the trenches of the First World War. As the visitor walks through these recreations you can almost feel as though you are present in the actual battle.

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The Museum opens daily from 9am to 5pm and can be contacted at 634-4391. There is a small admission fee.

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River Estate Museum

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This museum is located in the Diego Martin Valley which is named after the river that flows through the valley and was discovered by the Spaniard Don Diego Martin. The museum traces the history of the river and as a consequence the history of the valley. In particular it looks at the history of agriculture in the valley and the diverse races that were attracted to the valley. On its grounds still exists the original Water Wheel used for grinding sugar cane and some of the cast-iron kettles used for boiling the sugar. There are numerous photographs showing the importance of coffee and cocoa to the development of Diego Martin. The museum is at the northern end of the valley on the Diego Martin Main Road, shortly after the intersection with St. Lucien Road.

 

North Post

Many individuals who visit the Diego Martin Valley never realise that the ocean is literally just around the corner. However the northern end of the valley overlooks the Caribbean Sea and ships approaching Trinidad from the north can be clearly seen from its ridges. The Spanish governors recognised the strategic importance of this and established an observation post on a 741 foot ridge that has come to be called North Post. After the British capture of Trinidad in 1797 they were concerned about attempts to retake the island and also about attacks by the French. As a result in 1804, the British Governor, Brigadier-General Sir Thomas Hislop began creating a series of fortifications around Trinidad that included Fort Abercromby, Fort George and on Cumberland Hill. North Post was made into a signal station, which through the use of flags could send signals to Fort George, which in turn would relay the message to the officials in Port of Spain. With the passage of time, the defensive role of North Post subsided and eventually it became the site for a marine radio installation that allowed ships at sea to communicate with Trinidad. The communications role of North Post continues to this day with TSTT having an installation on the site of the original observation post.

In addition to being a place of interest through its historic significance, North Post provides magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea and the rugged coastline of our North Coast. During the annual Great Race (powerboat race from Trinidad to Tobago), crowds gather on the ridge to see the boats as they race along the coast. On a clear day the island of Grenada can be seen from North Post. This location is also the start of a hike to Macqueripe. To get to North Post you proceed along the Diego Martin Main Road, going past the River Estate Museum  to the end of the road.

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Fort George

Commanding the heights overlooking St James lies Fort George. Built by the British in 1804 as part of a series of fortifications that included Fort Abercromby, North Post and fortifications on Cumberland Hill, Fort George was considered the last major defense before the Port of Spain Harbour. From its height of 1,200 feet, artillery shells could be lobbed onto ships attempting to enter Port of Spain Harbour or land at Mucurapo. The British understood the importance or preventing a landing at Mucarapo as that was their landing point for their invasion in 1797. Mucurapo was also the landing point for the Spanish conquistador Sedeno in his invasions of Trinidad in 1531. The British constructed several batteries for their cannon rising up the hill. Today there is an apartment complex on the hill that is called The Battery as a result. The ordinances (ammunition) for Fort George were kept at Cocorite during the 1820’s and would have given rise to the name, Powder Magazine, now bestowed on part of the area.

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According to the historian, Michael Anthony, the construction of Fort George was overseen by a Mandingo Muslim, Jonas Mohammed Bath. Before building the fort he had to construct a road up the hill and it is believed that the present road called Fort George Road was the route used. When constructed the fort was originally called Fort Vigie and the name later changed to Fort George in honour of King George III.

Fort George never experienced any military action and ceased to be a military establishment in 1846. It was then converted into a signal station. The design of the signal station was done by Prince Kofi Nti, son of King Kofi Calcali of Ashantee, West Africa. He arrived in Trinidad on July 1, 1881, having become a ward of the British Government after a war against the Ashantees in 1872 and was assigned to the Works Department. In 1964 Fort George ceased operating as a signal station.

 

Museum of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

The Museum of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service chronicles the history of the police service from its formation in 1859 to the present day. The development of the various arms of the service, biographies of past Commissioners of Police, changes in uniforms over the years and significant moments in Police history are all outlined in this small museum. There is even a diary recording the apprehension of various criminals in the 1800's.

The Museum is located in the former Police Headquarters building on St Vincent Street, Port of Spain and is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 6pm and on Saturdays, from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free and guided tours are available.

 

Central Bank Money Museum

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The Central Bank Money Museum is located on the ground floor of the Eric Williams Financial Complex, Independence Square, Port of Spain (known locally as the Twin Towers), and is open from Tuesday to Friday. Guided tours take place twice a day, at 9.30 am and 2 pm. Special tours can be arranged. Admission and tours are free. For more information, call 625-2601 ext. 2400 or 2120.

The Eric Williams Financial Complex   was officially opened on March 29th, 1986. As the Twin Towers are located on reclaimed land and Trinidad is susceptible to earthquakes, special architectural designs had to be done for these two, twenty-two story towers. Dr Rollin Betrand in an article called A GEOLOGICAL WALK AROUND INDEPENDENCE SQUARE PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD outlined the measures. "1900 piles were driven to an average depth of 80' with 560 below each tower. The pile cap under each tower is a cellular raft' which is a combination of 9' x 6' beams and an 18" slab. All columns on the towers are tied to this as water storage for the building is also located in the basement for additional dead weight. The cross braces and the core walls in each of the towers were designed to resist earthquake forces with the former taking 15% of the forces and the latter taking 80-85%".

 

Port of Spain Museum

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Nestled on the southern side of Port of Spain is a small museum that traces the history of the city of Port of Spain. Located on South Quay, this museum is housed on the grounds of the former Fort San Andres. Early records indicate that Fort San Andres was established some time before 1777 as a gun battery on an island in the Port of Spain harbour. During the reclamation work of 1832 that portion of the harbour was filled to create solid land.

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The Museum is open between 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Friday. The history of Port of Spain is outlined from its beginnings as the Amerindian (Arawak) village that Walter Raleigh saw in March 1595 to the present day. Through the use of storyboards with numerous photographs, significant events are brought to life. Individuals who were prominent in the life of the city are featured and there are several artifacts from the city.

 

National Museum

Established in 1892 as the Royal Victoria Institute, the National Museum and Art Gallery is situated at the top of Frederick Street in Port of Spain, opposite Memorial Park and just south of the Queen's Park Savannah. The building was called the Victoria Institute in honour of Queen Victoria. It was destroyed by fire in 1920 and rebuilt in 1923. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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The Museum manages a collection of some 10,000 items, including a collection of paintings by Michel-Jean Cazabon. Among the many items on display in seven major galleries are petroleum and geological exhibits, the permanent national art collection, and a small gallery on Trinidad's Carnival arts. Periodically the museum hosts exhibitions by visiting artists. On its grounds is a pillar erected in January 1918 to mark the site of the Toll Gate which was discontinued in 1878.

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Memorial Park

Memorial Park was created to honour those individuals from Trinidad and Tobago who died in the two World Wars from 1914 - 1918 & 1939 - 1945. Located between Frederick and Charlotte Streets, just below the Queen’s Park Savannah and across the street from the National Museum,  the park is a peaceful place on most days with the four walkways leading to the Cenotaph at the center.

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At the base of the cenotaph inscribed on bronze plaques are the names of those who died in the wars and the branch of the armed forces in which they served. Also inscribed are the names of those who served in the British West India Regiment. The park is an ideal setting to sit and reflect on the fortunate circumstances in our lives as there are benches along the walkways and flowering trees around the perimeter.

 

Queen's Park Savannah

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The Queen's Park Savannah is the oldest recreation ground in the West Indies. This site was formerly the St. Ann's Estate which was purchased from the Peschier family by the City Council in 1817. A small section of the site was reserved by the Peschier family as a burial ground for family members and remains so to this day. In the early 1800s the Savannah was not envisioned as an area for recreational pursuits but was purchased as part of the estate for the governor's official residence and as a public pasture for grazing domestic stock. The Governor's residence was never constructed on the land but eventually on property to the north of the Savannah.

During the early 1900's an electric tramway provided a "scenic tour" (4 km) around the perimeter of the park at 2 cents per trip and it was not until 1950 that this facility was removed due to the protests from citizens who claimed that the tram added unnecessary noise and congestion to the otherwise peaceful ambience.

The area known today as the "Hollows" was in 1841 a reservoir that had been dug for the purpose of supplying Port of Spain with water. The water was run from the St Ann's River through a channel in the Botanic Gardens that is now known as Nutmeg Ravine.

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Gingerbread House

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Situated on the Queen's Park Savannah at 12 Queen's Park West, immediately before All Saints Church, is Boissiere House, which is also known as the Gingerbread House. Built in 1904 by Mr. Charles Boissiere as a token of his love for Alice his wife, this house has developed its alternate name of Gingerbread House because of the style of fretwork that adorns the lower edge of the roof.

 

Magnificent Seven

On the western side of the Queen's Park Savannah are several buildings that are collectively called the Magnificent Seven. Built during a time of economic prosperity when cocoa was king, these historic buildings are lovely examples of colonial architecture. In 1988 the Magnificent Seven buildings at Queen's Park West were listed by the Organisation of American States as a historic district on the Register of Monuments of the Greater Caribbean.

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The Northernmost of the six buildings along Maraval Road and Queen's Park West is Stollmeyer's Castle. Construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1904. A Scottish architect Robert Gillies, from the firm of Taylor and Gillies designed it and the Scottish influence was predominant in the design. It is said that the structure of the house was patterned after a wing of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The limestone in the walls was obtained from the Laventille quarries.

The house was built by Charles Fourier Stollmeyer. However, Mrs. Stollmeyer, who had simple taste, found the building much too elaborate for her fancy, and she and her husband did not move into it. The house was given to their son, Conrad C. Stollmeyer, who was about to be married and who moved into the house in 1904. The building was acquired from Mr. Mahabir by the Trinidad and Tobago Government in 1979.

 

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The Archbishop's House found at 27 Maraval Road, is the official residence of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port of Spain. The structure was built in 1903 by the fifth Archbishop of Port of Spain, Patrick Vincent Flood and is influenced mainly by Byzantine style. There is also a touch of early Renaissance architecture in the building as evidenced by the elaborate crenellation on the top of the tower that bears medieval connotations. The marble and red granite used in the building came from Ireland and the cedar and greenheart used for the paneling, staircase and floors were obtained locally. At the time of its construction the Archbishop thought that in keeping with the dignity of his office,  he would build a palatial residence. In the four points of the square tower, Archbishop Flood tried to symbolize the four-square authority of the Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

In 1968 extensive renovations were carried out on the building by architect Sonny Sellier, and contractor Rev. Father Kevin Devenish. After its completion in 1969, Monsignor Anthony Pantin, the first Trinidad-born Archbishop, took up residence there. Since renovation, as one approaches the entrance, there is a Coat of Arms - the Spirit of the Holy Ghost looking down on the Three Hills of Trinidad. Underneath a cross is the motto: Omnia Omnibus (All things to all men).

 

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The most modest of the Magnificent Seven, Hayes Court was constructed in 1910 and named after Bishop Thomas Hayes, who was the second Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago. It is said that the building was designed to reflect a combination of the quiet graciousness of the French and English country house design, with high ceilings, mahogany staircase, wrought-iron fretwork, and wood paneling.

 

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What do Buenos Ayres, the Manjack mine in Vistabella and the fourth lot of land on Queens Park West have in common? They were all owned by Lucien Francois Ambard. Designed by a French architect in the French Baroque Colonial style with marble from Italy and tiles from France, Lucien R Ambard constructed his home at the Queen's Park Savannah. Because of financial failure and the inability to meet the mortgage payments to Gordon Grant & Company, the Ambard family lost the house in 1919. It was subsequently sold to a Pointz Mackenzie, who also lost it in 1923 under circumstances similar to that of Ambard. Again the property fell back in the hands of Gordon Grant.

An American businessman, William Pelligrew, and his family rented the house from Gordon Grant and lived there until 1940. In that year, the house was sold to Mr. Timothy Roodal for $24,000. The building has since been named Roomor - an abbreviated version of two family names - Roodal and Morgan.

 

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Built in 1904, "Mille Fleurs" is situated at No. 23 Maraval Road. "Mille Fleurs" is in the style of a typical town-house of the period, and its architecture may be referred to as early French Renaissance, with wrought iron fretwork. The house was apparently built for Mrs. Enrique Prada, who gave it the name "Mille Fleurs", which suggests it may have been surrounded by flowers. The house is presently owned by the Government and undergoing restoration.

 

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The foundation stone for Queen’s Royal College was laid on November 11, 1902 by Sir Courtenay Knollys, the then Acting Governor. The College was opened on March 25, 1904. The building was designed by DM Hahn, chief draughtsman in the Department of Public Works, who was himself a QRC old boy and the father of QRC boys. The original school formed in 1859 was called Queen's Collegiate School and was located opposite Lord Harris Square. In 1870, the school became the Queen's Royal College and was housed in the supper room of the Prince's Building.

The Main Block is in German Renaissance-style architecture, as is very evident by its solidness and ornateness. The clock in the  building was presented to the school by William Gordon Gordon in 1913. The Science Block was opened in 1939, the North Block in 1940 and the West Block in 1956.

 

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Whitehall was designed by its first owner in Corsican style with Venetian influence and built by James Moore a builder from Barbados. Moore used natural white sandstone imported from Barbados, in the construction. The building took from 1902 to 1904 while the roof was completed in 1910. The building is today owned by the Government and used as part of the office of the Prime Minister.

The Magnificent Seven are not the only surviving examples of colonial architecture to be found in Trinidad. In addition to the President's House, Knowlsey and the Red House shown below, the section Other Colonial Architecture provides some samples of the architecture of that period.

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Botanical Gardens

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The Botanic Gardens are located in Port of Spain on the northern side of the Queen's Park Savannah. The gardens were established in 1818 by Governor Woodford and his gardener David Lockhart was assigned to fill it with specimens from around the world. These gardens occupy 25 hectares of landscaped grounds and are open everyday from 6am to 6pm.

Within the gardens is a small cemetery that was reserved for Trinidad's governors, with the earliest burial record being  from 1819 of William Souper. The cemetery also contains the grave of the wife of the Bristish Governor Sir George Fitzgerald Hill, who died in November 1836 and asked to be buried in the Botanic Gardens. When Sir George died in March 1839, he was buried beside his wife.

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Also buried in this cemetery is Sir Solomon Hochoy who was the last British Governor of Trinidad and Tobago and the first non-white Governor. Upon the attainment of Independence in 1962, he was appointed as Governor-General, a post he held until 1972. Sir Solomon Hochoy was born on 20 April 1905 in Jamaica, and arrived in Trinidad at the age of 2. He grew up in the village of Blanchisseuse and after retirement he returned to Blanchisseuse where he spent the remainder of his life. He died on 15 November 1983.

 

Emperor Valley Zoo

The Emperor Valley Zoo is located in Port of Spain on the Queens Park Savannah, adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. It opens daily from 9am to 6pm.

 

President's House

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The President's House is located on the northern side of the Queen's Park Savannah, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens. During the period when Trinidad was a British Crown Colony it was the home of the Governor. During the period 1st May 1958 to 31st May 1962, it was the residence of the Governor-General of the Federated West Indies, Lord Hailes. From 4th September 1962, the building was used as a Museum and Art Gallery until December 1965, at which time the first Governor of an independent Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Solomon Hochoy, moved into the residence. On 1st August 1976, when Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic, (the occasion is observed on 24th September), the Governor-General's House (subsequently designated "The President's House") became the residence of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with President Ellis Clarke as the first President.

The grounds on which the President's House is located were formerly the Hollandais Estate and in 1819 the Governor, Sir Ralph Woodford bought the property on behalf of the Cabildo. He renovated the existing estate house, which was located slightly in front of the site of the present house, and called it "St Ann's Cottage". In 1873 Governor James Robert Longden began construction of the present President's House and it was completed in 1876 by Governor Sir Henry Turner Irving. It is believed that Longden designed the building in an "L" shape as a remembrance to himself.

Built on a super structure of iron and steel, the elegant stonework of the facade is local blue limestone from the Picadilly and Laventille quarries.

 

Knowlsey

Knowlsey Building on Queen's Park West on the eastern end of the Queen's Park Savannah, presently houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Built in 1904, this building occupies the entire block from Queen's Park West to Albion Street, between Chancery Lane and Dundonald Street. It was designed and constructed in 1904 by Taylor Gillies, at a cost of $100,000 for William Gordon Gordon, a Scotsman who grew wealthy by operating businesses in Trinidad. It has been recorded that the building might have been named after the residence of Gordon's friend in Cheshire, Lord Derby.

The building is predominantly Italian and German in architecture, and has been referred to as a "sandwich of blue stone and brick". When originally constructed the marble on the gallery which surrounds the ground floor was imported from Italy, and the wood for the beautiful staircase of purple heart came from Guyana. The ceilings on the ground floor are of plaster of Paris and the gesso work is that of an Italian craftsman who did the work on the ceiling in the Council Chamber in the Red House, and in the Stollmeyer's house.

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Red House

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The building known as the Red House is the site of the the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. It is located opposite Woodford Square and bounded by Abercromby, Knox, Hart Streets. Construction of this building began in 1844 and the southern wing was completed in 1848. During the British colonial period they were known as the Government Offices. The building was burnt in 1849 when citizens objected to a clause that was being debated by the Cabildo that would have required debtors to have their heads shaved and wear prison clothes. In 1903 these offices were completely destroyed by fire in what were known as the Water Riots. The rebuilding began in 1904 and was completed in 1907. On 27th July 1990, the Prime Minister and other members of parliament were held hostage in the building during a short-lived coup-d-etat.

In 1897 in honour of the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, the building was painted red and has been painted that colour ever since. The design of the building was done by Daniel M Hahn, chief draughtsman in the Department of Public Works, who was a past student of Queen's Royal College.

 

Former Police Headquarters

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Located across the street from the Red House on St. Vincent Street in Port of Spain is the former Police Headquarters. Constructed in 1876, at a cost of 90,000 pounds, on the site of the barracks of the West India Regiment, it served as police headquarters for over 100 years. It contained a residence for the head of the force as well as quarters for the volunteer fire brigade and the volunteer corps. At one time, the stipendiary magistrate of Port of Spain held his daily court there.

Built of local limestone from the Piccadilly Quarries in Laventille it was burnt in 1882 as a result of a mishap in the lamp room and rebuilt in 1884. It was again gutted by fire in 1990 as a result of an attempted coup and rebuilt in 2003.

The building is still in use at the present and houses several police departments as well as the Police Service Museum.

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Other Colonial Architecture

While the Magnificent Seven are the best known examples of colonial architecture in Trinidad, throughout the country there survives many historic buildings from earlier periods in our history. Several of these buildings originally constructed as residences have been converted to offices but the exteriors have been maintained with the original design.

The streets around Lord Harris Square in Port of Spain are one area where you can see several examples of earlier buildings. In the immediate vicinity of the square on Abercromby, New and Pembroke Streets are several buildings dating to earlier in our history. While smaller in scale than the other mansions at Queen's Park West, they survive and continue to exhibit their splendor.

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Other examples found in Port of Spain are on Victoria Avenue, Keate Street and Queen's Park South. Even as 21st century edifices of concrete and steel begin to tower above them, these buildings retain their beauty.

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Victoria Square in Port of Spain is also bordered by buildings that reflect the colonial style of construction. During early morning and early evening periods, visitors to Victoria Square are blessed by the sight and sound of wild Orange Winged Amazon Parrots and wild Yellow Fronted Parrots.

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A beautiful example of the French style of building during the late 1800's and early 1900's can be found on the corner of Sweet Briar Road and Elizabeth Street in Port of Spain.

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It has been said that unlike the wealthy of English extraction, those of French heritage chose to keep their wealth in Trinidad and constructed buildings where they could freely entertain their friends. One feature of these buildings is the large verandah that usually spans the entire house.

The former capital of Trinidad, St Joseph, is another location where older buildings dating back to colonial times can be seen.

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Woodford Square

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Situated in the heart of the city, Woodford Square is bordered by Frederick Street on the East, Abercromby Street on the West, Hart Street on the South and Knox Street on the North.

Woodford Square was first known as the Place of Souls by the Amerindians who fought a bloody battle on this open space. The St Ann's River ran through this open space and down to the sea. The course of the river was later changed to what is today called The Dry River and the riverbed in the Place of Souls was filled up. With the coming of the French settlers to the island, they called the Place of Souls - Place Des Ames. Place Des Ames means place of souls.

Place Des Ames later became known as Brunswick Square. It is believed that because Brunswick Square was used as a parade ground by the soldiers many of whom were Germans that the square was named after the German soldiers. 

In 1813  Governor Sir Ralph Woodford arrived in Trinidad and he immediately began rebuilding the town and laid out the square. He commissioned the German botanist, Baron Schack, to fill the square with flowering trees. In 1866 a fountain was put in the center of the Square as a gift from George Gregor Turnbull of Glasgow, Scotland. In 1892 new heavy railings were put up around the square. These are the ones we see today. In 1917 a bandstand was built and opened by Dr E. Prada, the then Mayor of Port of Spain. At the opening of the bandstand the name of the square was changed from Brunswick Square to Woodford Square for patrotic reasons (Brunswick being a German name and World War I was in progress) and to honour the Governor Sir Ralph Woodford.

On November 7th 2007, Woodford Square was used for the swearing-in ceremony for the Prime Minister, Patrick Manning. This was the first time that the ceremony had been held in public.

Over the years, people have called Woodford Square by different names: 'The University of Woodford Square', 'The People's Parliament'. It has been and continues to be a place where lively debate takes place everyday.

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Portuguese Association

On Richmond Street Port of Spain, just before the intersection with Duke Street is a building with a sign that reads "Associação Portuguesa". This unimposing structure is a place of interest because it is one of the few remaining buildings that gives a hint of the immigration of a group of individuals that have significantly impacted the business life of Trinidad and our culinary traditions.

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In 1834 with the abolition of slavery, the sugar planters were desperate for labour and a group of twenty-five Portuguese labourers was brought from the Azores. These individuals did not last in Trinidad and either died or returned to their native land within two years. In 1846, the planters again tried Portuguese labourers and brought 219 persons from Madeira. It is possible that the planters chose Madeira because it is an island archipelago off the west coast of Morocco in Africa and they may have thought that being so close to Africa these Portuguese could endure Trinidad's climatic conditions. During this period Madeira was undergoing economic hardship and these individuals volunteered to go to Trinidad in the hope of a better life. During 1846 and 1847, additional Portuguese labourers were brought to Trinidad from Madeira. The majority of the Portuguese did not remain working on the sugar estates for very long as, (fortunately for them) they had not signed any indentureship papers (unlike the later Indian laborers). Most of the Portuguese immigrants either died, became small shopkeepers (especially of rum shops) or became involved in cocoa.

Two other significant groups of Portuguese came to Trinidad. In 1846 a group of Portuguese Presbyterians fled to Trinidad from Madeira to escape persecution from Catholic Portuguese. More detail is provided on this group on the Religious Sites Page. According to Jo-Anne S. Ferreira in her work The Portuguese of Trinidad, between 1856 and 1858, there was immigration to Trinidad from the Cape Verde Islands of approximately 100 Portuguese who were of Negroid origin rather than Caucasian.

Through hard work, these Portuguese immigrants developed their small shops into large commercial enterprises and also introduced Trinidad to olive oil and garlic pork.

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Treasury Building

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The Treasury Building is located on the western end of the Brian Lara Promenade (formerly called Independence Square). It was previously the site of the Central Bank, which is now located across the Promenade at the Twin Towers. In 1831, the original Treasury Building was constructed under the direction of the British Governor Sir Lewis Grant. For many years it was also the residence of the British Governors and a rum bond.

On August 1st 1834, the Emancipation Proclamation was read from the steps of the Treasury Building by Governor Sir George Fitzgerald Hill, announcing the beginning of the end of slavery in Trinidad. Slavery legally ended on August 1st 1838 with the reading of the Abolition Proclamation from this building by the same governor.

On 25th June 1932, the Treasury Building was destroyed by fire and in 1936, construction of the present building commenced with completion being in 1938.

 

Brian Lara Promenade

Constructed on reclaimed land that at the time was next to the waterfront, this square was originally called Plaza de la Marina. When the British captured Trinidad in 1797 they translated the name to Marine Square. In 1962, in honour of Trinidad and Tobago's independence from the United Kingdom it was renamed Independence Square.

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The promenade was subsequently renamed after Brian Lara for his world record 400 runs in a cricket Test match. Along its tree lined length can usually be found individuals playing chess or engaging in that unique Trinidadian activity of "liming". The placement of benches and flowering shrubbery gives the entire area a relaxed laid-back atmosphere. The Brian Lara Promenade runs from the sea to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and provides a scenic anchor to downtown Port of Spain.

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Citigate

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Just across the street  from the Port of Spain City Museum and along South Quay is the complex known as City Gate. This bus terminus complex is indeed the transport gateway to the city of Port of Spain with thousands of commuters passing through its hallways everyday.

Citigate stands on the site of the first railway station constructed in Trinidad. On August 31st 1876 the first passenger railway in Trinidad was inaugurated, with the train line running from Port of Spain to Arima. The service was eventually extended to various parts of Trinidad and the railway operated until 1968.

 

Port of Spain Lighthouse

The Port of Spain Lighthouse is on Wrightson Road, literally at the entrance to the city. To fully understand the significance of the Lighthouse one has to briefly look at the history of Port of Spain.

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The Spanish established a garrison near the foot of the Laventille Hills in 1560. To the west of the fort were several mud walled huts and ajoupas. For the next two hundred years, there was little growth in Port of Spain. Then in 1757 Don Pedro de la Moneda arrived as Governor and refused to go to the capital, San Jose. His remaining in Port of Spain began the process that led to Port of Spain becoming the capital. In 1784 Don José Maria Chacón arrived as Governor and his coming along with the Cedula of Population, which encouraged the settlement of French Catholics in the island, led to a rapid increase in the town's population and its geographical extension westwards. From the small cluster of buildings at the foot of the Laventille Hills, eleven streets were laid out west to the area bounded by the St. Ann's River. At the time the St Ann's River (East Dry River) ran through Port of Spain along the street that is now called Chacon Street. The sea shore was at the area known as Marine Square and in the sea was a small island on which a fort was constructed called Fort San Andres. Realizing that the St. Ann's River, prone to flooding, was impeding the expansion of the town, Chacón had its course diverted in 1787 so that it ran to the east of the city, along the foot of the Laventille Hills. In 1803, using fill from the Laventille Hills the mudflats along the seashore were reclaimed beginning in the east in the area called Sea Lots. The land reclamation continued westward filling the area to the south of Marine Square. During the 1840's and 1870's the reclamation continued until in the 1880's the area now known as South Quay was truly what its name implies, a quayside on the south of the town at which ships could anchor.

During the 1880's in the area now known as Citigate, a jetty was constructed called the St. Vincent Jetty. On the inner end of the jetty the present lighthouse was constructed called the St Vincent Jetty Light. It is reported that the light from the lighthouse was visible for up to 10 miles at sea. The continuing land reclamation in 1906 and 1935 eventually resulted in the lighthouse becoming landlocked and the construction of Wrightson Road in 1935 gave us the present position of the lighthouse.

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Fort Abercromby

Situated to the immediate north of Las Cuevas Bay on a promontory overlooking the bay are the remnants of Fort Abercromby. Built by the British in 1804 as part of the fortification of Trinidad that included Fort George and North Post, this was a lonely posting. In 1797 there were only 64 persons in the Las Cuevas area and even by 1810, the population had only grown to 114 persons. The British were concerned however about attacks from the French and knew all too well that Las Cuevas Bay made a good place for landing ships as they had landed there in 1750 when Trinidad was still in Spanish hands. The British also intended that Fort Abercromby would be a place of last defense in case they lost Port of Spain, retreating with their forces through St Joseph and over the mountains to Las Cuevas. The road over the mountains from St Joseph still exists, although in its present state would be considered more of an agricultural trace and is a popular hiking route. Fort Abercromby never experienced any military action however on 7th June 1805 an officer, standing on the fort saw a large fleet approaching and raised an alarm. A decision was taken to burn the huts, spike the guns and the entire garrison of three officers and 50 soldiers retreated over the hills to St Joseph. The fleet turned out to be that of the British Lord Nelson on its way to take part in the Battle of Trafalgar in which the combined fleets of France and Spain were defeated.

The fort was never repaired after the retreat. Today Fort Abercromby is a place of interest because of its historical significance and the fantastic ocean views. Only two of the cannons remain and remnants of the stone walls. It is also a popular fishing location.

 

San Juan Mystery Statue

Along the Santa Cruz Old Road, on the northern edges of San Juan, is a statue of a male Amerindian with the words La Venezuela inscribed around the pedestal on which the statue stands. The statue has long been a landmark in the area and a housing development has been created in the area, taking its name, La Venezuela Gardens, from the inscription. Although most of the residents of San Juan are familiar with the statue, discovering its origins has been difficult.

According to one resident of La Venezuela Gardens, oral tradition indicates that there was a Spanish settlement in the area and these settlers had developed friendly relations with the Amerindians who inhabited the Santa Cruz valley. Unfortunately this relationship deteriorated and the Amerindians planned an attack on the settlement. The settlers were warned of the attack by a male Amerindian and so either managed to escape or ward off the attack. In gratitude for the warning the settlers erected the statue which still stands today.

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The veracity of this account is difficult to verify, however there are certain facts that we know. The Santa Cruz valley was inhabited by Amerindians and in 1790 when Governor Jose Maria Chacon established the settlement of San Juan the area was known by the Amerindian name of Aricagua. Indicators of Amerindian and Spanish settlement were found in the area when the La Venezuela Gardens houses were being constructed with Amerindian artifacts being found when the foundations were dug and also Spanish artifacts including a musket.

We also know that the Amerindians in Trinidad were not all happy with the invasion of their island by foreigners and certainly attacked the Spanish to drive them from Trinidad. In 1531 when the Spanish conquistador Sedeno attempted to settle in Trinidad, he was attacked and repulsed at Mucarapo Bay. Two more attempts by Sedeno were repulsed by the natives and it was only on the fourth attempt, when Sedeno brought horses that he succeeded. In 1595, the Amerindians joined forces with Walther Raleigh to attack St. Joseph. This resistance by the Amerindians continued with an attack on St Joseph in 1637 by Hyarima, a cacique of the Nepuyo sub-tribe. There was also the killing of the Capuchin priests in 1699 by the Amerindians in the event that has become known as the Arena massacre. As such the possibility of an Amerindian attack in the la Venezuela area is likely. We can also surmise that any attack was likely to have taken place before 1785, as in that year the first land grants in Santa Cruz was made by Chacon and also we know that the Amerindians were rounded up in 1785, especially from Arouca and Tacarigua, and moved to Arima. Should any additional information be available about this statue, this web site would be happy to receive it.

The statue is not the only mystery item or place of interest at La Venezuela Gardens as there are also a old gazebo and concrete structure.

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The concrete structure looks as though it may have been a large table but also looks as if it may have been a large bath.

 

St Joseph

On 15th May 1592 a Spanish conquistador Domingo de Vera, under orders from the Governor Don Antonio de Berrio y Oruna, established the first town, San Jose de Oruna in the area now known as St Joseph. Four buildings were erected, a Government House (Casa Real), a Town Hall (Cabildo), a prison and a catholic church. The Catholic Church still stands on the site of the first church. St. Joseph remained the capital of Trinidad until 1784, when Governor Jose Maria Chacon declared Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad.

San Jose was twice completely destroyed and rebuilt. In 1595, Walter Raleigh in an alliance with the Amerindians attacked and burnt the town. The town was destroyed again in a Dutch raid in 1649, when the Dutch allied themselves with Chief Hyarima. The Chaguaramas Military History Museum has a reenactment of the sacking of San Jose in 1595.

Two other notable events in the history of St Joseph occurred in 1797 and 1837. When Trinidad fell to the British in 1797, Governor Chacon fled to St Joseph and the Capitulation agreement was signed in the great house of Valsayn estate. In 1837 there was a mutiny by members of the Third West India Regiment led by a former slave Daaga. The mutiny was quickly put down and the leaders, Daaga, Ogson and Coffin were tried, condemned and executed on 16th August 1837.

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St. Joseph today is a quiet, mainly residential, area on many of whose streets can still be seen old homes from the colonial era. These old buildings, while not as expansive as the Port of Spain mansions are lovely examples of colonial architecture.

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