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What Kingston, Jamaica looked like in the Late 19th Century

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Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. Kingston was founded in July 1693 after the earthquake devastated Port Royal in 1692. The original part of the city was built to house survivors of the earthquake at the bottom of the Liguanea Plains. The city took over the functions of Spanish Town (the capital at the time). The city was a commerce, processing, and transportation hub between Jamaica and other areas. Kingston had a population of 25,000 in 1788, which was about a tenth of the island’s population. The majority of people living in Kingston were white, and there were also many free people of color living there, so two out of every five people who lived there were free. The harbor played a keen role in developing the city and economy. The city had over 3,000 brick buildings by the end of the 18th Century.

In 1862, Kingston was incorporated as a corporation with a mayor and council. During that year, a large part of the city was destroyed by fire. Kingston became the new capital in 1872 since the port city had surpassed Spanish Town in size and sophistication. The city council’s powers were transferred to a nominated Municipal Board in 1885, but by then, the city’s affairs were again administered by a mayor.

Here are some stunning historical photos showing what Kingston looked like in the 19th Century.

#4 Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams stretch into the distance along a long, empty road at Kingston, 1895

Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams stretch into the distance along a long, empty road at Kingston, 1895

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#5 Building belonging to Jamaica Street Car Company, 1895

Building belonging to Jamaica Street Car Company, 1895

Close inspection finds the tram track turning into a building identified by a sign above its door that reads: 'Jamaica Street Car Co. Limited' at Kingston.

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#6 Building belonging to Jamaica Street Car Company, 1895

Building belonging to Jamaica Street Car Company, 1895

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#7 Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a road bridge flanked by telegraph poles at Kingston, 1894

Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a road bridge flanked by telegraph poles at Kingston, 1894

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#8 Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a wide, empty road outside a building identified as: ‘Jamaica Street Car Co. Limited’ at Kingston, 1894

Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a wide, empty road outside a building identified as: 'Jamaica Street Car Co. Limited' at Kingston, 1894

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#9 Street scene showing a sign that reads: ‘Cars will not stop between North St. and Drummond St. on the up trip, 1894

Street scene showing a sign that reads: 'Cars will not stop between North St. and Drummond St. on the up trip, 1894

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#10 An open-sided tram is pulled along rails by two mules at Kingston, 1894

An open-sided tram is pulled along rails by two mules at Kingston, 1894

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#11 Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a busy road crowded with pedestrians and horse-drawn carts at Kingston, 1894

Rails laid down for mule-drawn trams criss-cross a busy road crowded with pedestrians and horse-drawn carts at Kingston, 1894

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#13 King’s House (Sir Henry and Lady Blake) in Kingston, 1887

King's House (Sir Henry and Lady Blake) in Kingston, 1887

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#14 Ruins of an old Spanish fort, Kingston, Jamaica, 1891.

Ruins of an old Spanish fort, Kingston, Jamaica, 1891.

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#22 Entrance gates and avenue of Marine Gardens. Figures can be seen along the avenue, 1870s

Entrance gates and avenue of Marine Gardens. Figures can be seen along the avenue, 1870s

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#24 Kingston with hills behind, taken from the sea, 1860s

Kingston with hills behind, taken from the sea, 1860s

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#26 Loading a fruit steamer with bananas for northern markets, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890s

Loading a fruit steamer with bananas for northern markets, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890s

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#38 Country Negroes starting out for Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Country Negroes starting out for Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#40 Going to market, Rockfort Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Going to market, Rockfort Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#41 Harbour Street looking west, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Harbour Street looking west, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#42 Jubilee Market, Orange St, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Jubilee Market, Orange St, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#62 Lively street scene taken from above. Street full of people and vehicles, 1870s

Lively street scene taken from above. Street full of people and vehicles, 1870s

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#64 Jubilee Market, West Parade, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Jubilee Market, West Parade, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#68 Tom Cringles Cotton Tree, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Tom Cringles Cotton Tree, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#69 Tom Cringles Cotton Tree, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

Tom Cringles Cotton Tree, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, Jamaica, 1890

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#71 Arrival of Prince George at Kingston, Jamaica, 1891

Arrival of Prince George at Kingston, Jamaica, 1891

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#81 Change St at corner of Queen Street, Kingston, Jamaica, 1898

Change St at corner of Queen Street, Kingston, Jamaica, 1898

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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9 Comments

  4. I have no idea how people back then dealt with the heat wearing such clothing. Did antiperspirants exist back then? What is a good deodorant? Is there a reliable source of water for consistent bathing? Within 10 minutes of walking in Kingston, I’m sweating even with 1 layer of sleeveless clothing.

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