THE HISTORY OF ST. MARY

There are a few traces of Taino/Arawak presence in the parish of St. Mary. Saint Mary was also one of the first sections of the island to be occupied by the Spaniards. Puerto Santa Maria, later Port Maria, was the second town the Spaniards built on the island. In 1655, after the English captured Jamaica from the Spaniards, the north coast area became known as St. Mary, with the capital town called Port Maria.

There are several special places, Travelling along the quite country roads, you will pass pictureque villages scattered throughout the hills and valleys. The unique atmosphere and scenery of Saint Mary is different from anywhere else you will visit in Jamaica.

There are indications of strong resistance to slavery in the parish. The Easter Rebellion led by Tacky in 1760, and the existence of the Maroons at Scotts Hall showed that the parish was one of the most active in the fights for freedom. Its present size was determined in 1867, when the parish of Metcalfe was merged with St Mary.

St. Mary because of its location on the North Coast, possesses beautiful scerneries , such as beaches, landscape, Mountains, etc. Port Maria which is the capital of the parish has water surrounding the town. this layer of water runs along the coast to Oraccabessa, Ochio Rios, and continues down to Montego Bay and Negril, which are popular Tourist areas.

There are a few traces of Taino/Arawak presence in the parish. Saint Mary was also one of the first sections of the island to be occupied by the Spaniards. Puerto Santa Maria, later Port Maria, was the second town the Spaniards built on the island. In 1655, after the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish, the area around the north coast town of Santa Maria, became known as St Mary, with the chief town called Port Maria.

There are indications of strong resistance to slavery in the parish. The Easter Rebellion led by Tacky in 1760, and the existence of the Maroons at Scotts Hall showed that the parish was one of the most active in the fights for freedom. Its present size was determined in 1867, when the parish of Metcalfe was merged with St Mary.

The parish, for several years, has been listed as one of the poorest in Jamaica, althouth there is potential for vast development. It boasts what is thought to some to be one of the best secondary level schools in the nation, St. Mary High, from which several outstanding people have come. They occupy several reputable positions in varying sectors both at home and overseas. Essential services includes banking and postal services.Tourism is a relatively small sector in the parish.

MOUNTAINOUS PARISH

The parish has a good variety of agricultural resources. The principal products are bananas, sugar, citrus, pimento, cocoa, coconuts, coffee, vegetables, breadfruit and anatto.

Pastoralism is also practised. In recent years, however, agriculture has been on the decline, which maybe due to the problems that Jamaican banana export has been facing. There is also a lack of investment and praedial larceny at varying levels. For information on Agriculture in St. Mary