1899 - 1900          how it all started

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For about four decades, from 1900 to 1940, Rockfort Gardens was Kingston's most important venue for a wide variety of forms of entertainment; to day it is all but forgotten and the site is occupied by power generating equipment of the Jamaica Public Service Company.

Daily Gleaner, July 27, 1899

ROCKFORT GARDENS.

Promises have been made that the gardens at Rockfort should be of such an attractive character that they would become the popular resort of the people of Kingston, but few believed that the [West India Electric] Company had in view the ambitious plans which are now disclosed. The site is a triangle of bush between the Windward Road and the sea, where the road and the shore converge at the Third Mile stone. When first acquired by the Company it was an unpromising piece of bush, the scanty vegetation of which was parched and bare. Twelve months hence it will be, if there be no interruption of the operations now begun, one of the prettiest spots in Jamaica. A good deal has already been done. The bush has been cleaned away and only the more pretentious trees remain. The ground has been cleaned up. Two fine circular pavilions and a band stand have been built. The gardens have been fenced off. But still the effect is not very brilliant The gardens look bare and sombre. Here is order however where chaos was before. On Tuesday the first step was taken towards making this order beautiful, and now that the process of transformation has begun it will be of interest to give an outline of what the

FUTURE "ROSHERVILLE"*

will be like.

It should be stated first of all that the laying out of the Gardens has been undertaken by the Botanical Departments at the expense of course of the Tramway Company, Mr. W. Fawcett Director of Public Gardens and Plantations has entered heartily into the Company's project, and as a garden is to be made he is anxious that it should be one worthy of the city and one of which Jamaica may be proud. Mr. Holgate [manager of the West India Electric Company] has realised the importance of making the Gardens representative of tropical plant life and flora of Jamaica's economic plants. In this way the gardens will become a great attraction to tourists who will hail with pleasure so convenient and pretty a park where they can see all that is novel and interesting in tropical plant life.

On Tuesday last Mr. T. J. Harris, of Hope Gardens, visited Rockfort and commenced the task of planning oat the gardens. The first step taken was to peg out a plot in the shape of a heart the apex of which is about fifteen yards from the entrance. Paths have been cut out round the sides of the heart to the base within a few yards of the central pavilion. Within the heart all kinds of short decorative trees and growing shrubs are to be planted, and the soil is being prepared for the planting of the shrubs, which are being sent to the Gardens daily. The soil proves to be a very fine alluvial deposit and it is believed that the park will prove a splendid success from a gardener's point of view. About half-way along the point to the left of the apex, it bifurcates, one branch continuing round the heart to the central pavilion and the other going straight along westward parallel with the shore. It ends at the smaller pavilion within a short distance of the western boundary of the Gardens. Between this path and the sea, a

LONG ROW OF ALMOND

the tropical or sea almond, Terminalia catappa L., probably

introduced into Jamaica at the end of the 18th century

trees is to be planted, the principal purpose of which will be to stem the ferocity of the south-west breeze, which would break the more tender shrubs to be planted. In twelve months the almond trees will grow about ten feet and when at maturity will reach about 40 feet. On the leeward side of the trees towards the path, strong shrubs are to be planted and they too will protect the more delicate plants in the centre of the park. The effect of this bank of foliage along the path will be very pretty. The fear may arise in the minds of some that the glorious but boisterous ozone is to be excluded for the sake of the plants. The fear is groundless. Here and there breaks will be made in the wall of foliage through which lovers of a blow may go to the sea front along which seats will run. This frontage commanding as it does a beautiful view of the harbour, and against which the waves are driven by the strong south wester that prevails will be one of the most attractive delights of the Garden. Before the paths from the apex of the heart meet at the pavilion they will come out upon a beautiful gravel promenade which will lead to the band stand lying between the two pavilions. The promenade is to be of considerable width and each side will be lined with seats which will give rest to the promenaders on band nights. It is proposed to have

BAND PERFORMANCES TWICE A WEEK.

As has been stated, the site of the Gardens is roughly speaking a triangle.

The base at the west end runs from the Windward Road to the sea, and the sides are formed by the shore and the road. The entrance is at the apex and the band stand is near the centre. So that there is a considerable area from the entrance, along the road, and down towards the sea not yet accounted for. This land it is intended to convert into green sward, bordered by plants, trees and shrubs. The stretch of sward will be broken here and there by the luxuriant banyan trees, under the cool shade of which many a picnic will in all likelihood be held.

The well near the central pavilion promises to give an abundant supply of sparkling water. A pump is now on the way from America and the fountain will be a boon to visitors.

This is but a brief outline of the metamorphosis that is to take place. Arbours are to be built, where lovers may spoon without dread of the vulgar eye and other details are to be carried out which will make the garden the show place of the city.