1907 Kingston Earthquake: Historical Photos that depict the Aftermath and Destruction

On January 14, 1907, Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was struck by the devastating earthquake of 6.2 magnitudes. The United States Geological Survey described it as one of the world’s deadliest earthquakes recorded in history. The earthquake and subsequent fires in Kingston, which lasted for three hours before any efforts could be made to put out the fires, resulted in about 1,000 deaths and caused approximately $30 million in material damage at that time. There was a tsunami reported shortly after on Jamaica’s north coast, with a wave height of about 2 m (6-8 ft).

Below are some rare historical photos of Kingston that depict the destruction caused by the 1907 earthquake.

#1 Earthquake devastation, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#2 1907 Earthquake Damage, Kingston, Jamaica

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#3 Cleaning up the damage, Kingston, 1907

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#4 Colonial Bank after the Earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#5 Corner of King and Harbour Streets taken 8 days after the disaster, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#6 Corner of King and Harbour Streets taken 8 days after the disaster, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#7 Corner of King and Harbour Streets taken 8 days after the disaster, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#8 Damaged church after the earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#9 Earthquake damage, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#10 Earthquake damage, Port Royal, Jamaica, 1907

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#11 Earthquake damaged building, Kingston, 1907

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#12 Earthquake damaged building, Kingston, 1907

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#13 Earthquake damaged building, Kingston, 1907

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#14 Earthquake damaged building, Kingston, 1907

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#15 Earthquake refugees, Kingston, Jamaica 1907

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#16 Edmanson Hall after the earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#17 Harbour Street after the Earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#18 Kings Street, Kingston after the 1907 Earthquake

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#19 Kingston, Jamaica after the earthquake, 1907

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#20 Kingston, Jamaica after the earthquake, 1907

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#21 Mico College after the 1907 Earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica

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#22 Parish Church after the 1907 Earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica

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#23 Parish Church Clock Tower, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#24 Police guard earthquake damaged building, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#25 Port Antonio Courthouse after the 1907 Kingston Earthquake

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#26 Port Royal Street, Kingston, 1907

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#27 Repairing earthquake damage, Jamaica, 1907

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#28 Roman Catholic Church, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#29 Rubble strewn street, Kingston, 1907

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#30 Ruins after the 1907 Earthquake Damage, Kingston, Jamaica

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#31 Ruins of Garrison Church at Up-Park Camp, Jamaica, 1907

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#32 Ruins of St Michael’s Church, 1907

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#33 Theatre Royal, Kingston, 1907

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#34 Two of the West Indian Regiment on guard after the Earthquake, Kingston, Jamaica, 1907

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#35 Wesleyan Chapel, Port Royal, Jamaica, 1907

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