We present our compilation of interesting tidbits on Jamaican life, culture, and history. Keep coming back as we update our page!


... Did you know that Kingston is a city filled with vibrant murals? They are dotted all along the city and include commissioned and uncommissioned pieces, ones done by adults and ones done by children, and even a few by foreigners?


... Did you know that the University of the West Indies Mona Campus has many murals including two done by Belgian artist Claude Rahir? One is called "Communication" and is on the wall of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) while the other, located on the Assembly Hall wall, is commonly called "Year of the Child". Other murals on the Mona Campus are "The Good Samaritan" (Faculty of Medical Sciences) by Angela Waterlow and another one painted by her in the Mary Seacole dining hall.


... Did you know that each year Kingston on the Edge (KOTE) (see Events page) commissions a mural to be painted in Kingston? Murals are located in diverse locations including Cross Roads, Duke & Harbour Streets (downtown), and Liguanea. 


... Did you know that Eugene Hyde, one of the great abstract Jamaican artists whose work can be seen in the National Gallery, did a mural located on Camp Road? The Jamaica Guild of Artists recently completed a restoration project to maintain the vibrancy of the painting.


... Did you know that the land for the capital city of Kingston was purchased after the 1692 earthquake in Port Royal? The residents were badly shaken up (yes, pun intended) by the incident and wanted a new place to live. Eighty (80) hectares were bought from from Colonel William Beeston, for whom Beeston Street is named.

... Did you know that what is now a major street in downtown Kingston, Port Royal Street was not a part of the original town of Kingston? Although Port Royal Street now houses many important businesses, back in the 17th Century there was only sea there. Over time however, the sea dumped and settled mud and debris which accumulated to form a new street.

... Did you know that what is now Jamaica's National Heroes Park was once a popular race track? Heroes Park, where notables such as Marcus Garvey, Michael Manley, and Dennis Brown are buried, was once the site of boxing matches, cycling, ball games, but is famous for its horse racing events and the first race was run in 1816. After the 1907 earthquake, the park was used as a refugee camp for displaced persons and was known briefly as Shack Town. Today Heroes Park is where important Jamaican figures are buried.

... Did you know it is said that in the early 20th century, persons from east and west Kingston would settle disputes by 'duking it out'? Not in a ring though, but at Kingston Race Course (now Heroes Park) in organised fist fights. The folks from west Kingston would enter the through the western gate while the folks from the east would enter from the other side. The participants would be carrying flags and sticks. Everyone would meet in the middle and there would be a great big fight! It is siad no one ever died from these events although there were some broken bones.

... Did you know that Emancipation Park, the site of the controversial Redemption Song statue, was once the site of Knutsford Park Race Course? That race course took up 85 acres of land and extended from present day Oxford Road to Knutsford Boulevard. First race was 1905 and last race was 1958 when the now Caymanas Park began operations as a race track.

... Did you know that Jamaica's system of government is a parliamentary democracy modelled on the United Kingdom's Westminster system? Under our system, the reigning British monarch is the titular chief of state although that position is considered a formality and the funcations are limited. The UK monarch is represented through the island's Governor General. Note that it is the country's Prime Minister that is the head of government.

... Did you know that the Jamaican parliament is comprised of an elected House of Representatives with 60 individuals and a nominated Senate of 21 persons? The populace votes for the members to the House of Representatives while Senators are nominated by government officials. The role of the Senate is to review legislation which is passed by the House of Representatives.

... Did you know that Jamaica's system of government has been historically dominated by two parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP)? The JLP was founded in 1943 and the PNP in 1938. Once the votes have been counted, the head of the party which has won the elections, that is the party which has had more than 30 representatives elected by the people to the House of Representatives, becomes the Prime Minister.

,,, Did you know that universal adult suffrage was granted in 1944? Prior to that, the right to vote was based on the possession of property or the payment of taxes. Thus although the majority black population won their freedom from slavery in 1834, it was not until 1944 that most of them were accorded the right to vote. The voting age is currently 18 although it was 21 prior to 1979.

... Did you know that Wolmer's School was founded in 1736 from a grant of 2,300 pounds left by John Wolmer, a wealthy, Kingston-based goldsmith? The boys' school was originally located next to the Kingston Parish Church on King Street. Today inside the parish church there is a monument to John Wolmer which was erected circa 1789. The current location of the school  on Heroes Circle represents the border between the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage by Olive Senior