Remnants of Antiguan history

Antigua is rich with historical monuments dated back to 16th century. The remnants of these landmarks still reveal the bygone lore of the old times, the stories that took places and how things shaped up to give way to modern Antigua. Here’s a list some of the most famous historic land marks of Antiguan history.

1: St. John's Cathedral

Two St. John's Anglican Churches have already stood on the site of the present cathedral.  The first was built of wood as early as 1681 and was said to be "totally destitute of beauty or comfort".  The second was constructed with English brick about 1720 when the first fell in disrepair and became too small.  The church was designed by Mr. Robert Cullen and had a short steeple at its western end.  After over a century, the church was elevated to the status of a cathedral when the Diocese of Antigua was created in August 1842.

The Cathedral is built of freestone and the architect was Mr. J. Fuller of Bath and the Clerk of Works was Mr. F. W. Rowe of Bristol. The interior is encased in pitch pine, intending to secure the building from ruin during earthquake or hurricane.  It has been described as "a building within a building". The Cathedral is dominated by twin towers at the west end and provides a distinct baroque flavour.  They are 70 ft high and the cupolas that crown the towers are aluminum in colour.  At the time of erection, the edifice was criticized by ecclesiastical architects as being like "a pagan temple with two dumpy pepper pot towers", however in modern times the edifice has been cited as "the most imposing of all the Cathedrals of the West Indian Province".

2: Gunthorpes Sugar Factory (1904 -1972)

This sugar factory has played an important part in Antigua's history. Before the 21st century all sugar mills were owned by individual planters scattered over the island. Then when sugar cane output began to fail a central factory was built at Gunthorpes Estate in 1904. Here Antiguans were better able to communicate with each other, and seeing their exploitation, shop stewards were first formalized. By 1939, a trade union had been established. Soon an alliance between Government and a trade union led to the Ministerial system, thus a path to Independence was attained. Sugar ceased to be ground in 1972.

3: Montpelier Sugar Factory, (c.1890 - 1954).

This is a fine example of a muscavado sugar factory of the late 19th Century, reputed to have been the finest in the Caribbean in the 1890’s.The large horizontal steam engine remains with its enormous flywheel still sporting its governor and ornamental colours of yellow and green.  The engine is dated 1890 and was manufactured in Glasgow by McOnie, Harvie & Co.

There are two other steam engines, a high-speed one used for cutting cane prior to grinding and a small one for pumping water into the boilers, which still possess their massive pressure gauges.

4: Shirley Heights (c. 1780- c.1850)

This military complex, within a short distance of the Dockyard, is named after the Sir Thomas Shirley, Governor of the Leeward Islands, who strengthened Antigua’s defenses in 1781. Britain had lost all her West Indian colonies (including North America) at this time except Antigua and Barbados. Much effort, therefore, was put into Antigua’s defenses, mainly because of the island’s great sugar producing value and the important Dockyard. Shirley Heights may be divided into three sections:

(1): The Ridge and Artillery Quarters.  A Ridge, on which several ruins may be noted, leads to the Heights. The first buildings on the left are the Royal Artillery Gunner’s Barracks along with the Train of Artillery building (now a research centre), built in 1790 for 60 men. After the army left, it became a lunatic asylum.

(2): The Lookout. This high point (about 490 ft.) affords a superb view of English and Falmouth Harbours, the best view in Antigua.  Today, it is a Sunday afternoon rendezvous for a sampling of local music and culture. Behind the gun platform is the site of a flagstaff that once sent signals all around Antigua.

(3): Blockhouse. This is the easternmost part of the military complex, with a magnificent view looking over the south-east coast . It was designed as a place of last refuge, which is indeed the meaning of the word. A moat opposing the vertical cliffs was originally planned, but was never started. The Officer's Quarters is in ruin as are the out buildings, servants quarters, married quarters and stables. There is a fine powder magazine, cistern and catchment  that has received some restoration work.

5: Monk's Hill (Fort George), (1689-c. 1850)

Monk’s Hill is high table hill (588 ft. 204 m.) behind the village of Falmouth. There are extensive military ruins over the whole of its area. It was here that in 1689, the English settlers established a large fort that defended Antigua’s first town and harbour. The fort took sixteen years to build and was named Great George Fort after the Patron Saint of England. The hill himself was named after the owner of the land, Nathaniel Monk, who owned the estate that included the hill. 

The fortress was built as a place of last refuge in case of invasion by the French. It was also useful as a stronghold and defense against Carib Indian attacks that emanated from Dominica and St. Kitts.  Over the following years, the fort was greatly strengthened. In 1712, many women and children were quartered on the hill, as invasion by the French was imminent.  As soon as the danger was over, the women and children had to leave, as the House of Assembly had doubts as to voting the cost of the food that had to be sent into them.

6: Fort James, (1706- c. 1850).

This military heritage site is perhaps the most spectacular in Antigua as it still has its full complement of cannon in place. The guns in all other forts were all sold for scrap at sixpence/cwt in 1869. When St. John’s became larger than Falmouth and Parham about 1703, the northern entrance of St. John’s Harbour was fortified. The foundation stone for the present fort was laid with full Masonic honors in 1739. The ruins of Fort James are near north out of St.John’s, on a road parallel to the beach. It presents a good view of the city. The original fort dates back to 1675 but the present ruins go back to 1749. 

7: Fort Barrington, (1779- c. 1850).

It is a giant semi-circular gun emplacement dominating the approaches to St. John's Harbour. It is placed upon a hill on the harbour's south side. The lower interior is interesting to explore, for found there are dungeon-like rooms and a powder magazine. The ruin is also worth a visit for the magnificent view.

8: The Deep Bay Shipwreck, "Andes".

One of the purposes of the Museum is to research the nation's historical sites, which would certainly include the shipwrecks around Antigua and Barbuda. There is one, within a short distance of shore, at Deep Bay, near the Royal Antiguan Hotel. The research department believed it would be advantageous for tourism and for general interest to Antiguans & Barbudans if its history was sought. Some elderly people at Five Islands village remembered hearing about this marine disaster and made a guess at the approximate year. The National

9: Fort Berkeley, (1704 - c.1850).

English Harbour is the most historic part of Antigua. Time should be taken when visiting Nelson’s Dockyard, to follow the path to Fort Berkeley. It is only a ten-minute stroll each way and the unfolding views of the harbour are spectacular. The fort is placed on the peninsula forming the west entrance to English Harbour. It was started in 1704, or 21 years before the Dockyard was built. Its defences were later extended in the 1740’s. In this strategic position, the fort commanded the entrance to the anchorage, where naval captains careened their ships and sheltered from hurricanes.

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