Population: 72,600
Capital: Falmouth
Major Towns: Clarks Town, Stewart Town, Duncans, Wakefield, Jackson Town, Ulster Spring, Wait-a-Bit, Albert Town
Trelawny is nestled in the northwestern part of Jamaica, covering an area of 874.6 square kilometers (353 square miles). The parish boasts vast plains such as Queen of Spain's Valley and Windsor, located 750 and 580 feet above sea level respectively, with much of the southern region at 750 feet above sea level.
The southern section is part of the Cockpit Country, a rugged, uninhabitable terrain that serves as a natural reserve, home to most of Jamaica's 27 endemic bird species, the harmless yellow snake, and the giant swallowtail butterfly, the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The highest point in Trelawny is Mount Ayr, rising 3,000 feet above sea level.
Trelawny is characterized by typical limestone formations, including cockpits, sinkholes, caves, and underground passages. Notable caves include Windsor Cave, where the Martha Brae river roars underground during the rainy season, and Carambi Cave, known for its beauty and phosphate deposits. Near Pantrepant, several caves feature Taino carvings, with 48 caves containing phosphate deposits. The parish also hosts one of the longest underground conduits, stretching 15 miles near Stewart Town.
Major rivers include the Martha Brae, Rio Bueno, Cane, and Quashie.
Established in 1770, Trelawny was carved from eastern St James and western St Ann due to the distance from administrative centers. Named after Sir William Trelawny, then Governor of Jamaica, the first capital was Martha Brae, located two miles inland from Rock Bay. With the highest concentration of sugar estates in Jamaica, the need for a seaport town led to the purchase of lands from Edward Moulton Barrett. Barrett Town, later renamed Falmouth, became one of Jamaica's best-laid-out towns, thriving as a seaport and social center with luxurious townhouses and two local newspapers, The Falmouth Post and The Falmouth Gazette.
Falmouth has a rich history, including hosting the first Jamaican Derby at Cave Island. The town played a significant role in the emancipation movement, with Rev. William Knibb, a prominent emancipator, serving there. Today, Falmouth is an architectural and historical gem needing preservation.
The Maroons, descendants of freed and runaway slaves, had their chief town in southern Trelawny's Cockpit Country. A 1739 treaty with the English granted them freedom and land, halting their raids on plantations. However, the second Maroon uprising in 1795 led to the exile of over 600 Maroons to Nova Scotia, Canada, and later to Sierra Leone in 1800. Trelawny Town was destroyed in reprisals.
Today, Trelawny maintains a strong agricultural sector, with untapped potential for eco-tourism and historical preservation.
Agriculture
Key products: sugar cane, yams, strawberries, vegetables, pimento, coffee, ginger, coconut, dyewoods
Tourism
Major hotels:
Braco Village Resort, Silver Sands Resort, Trelawny Beach Hotel
Growing sector with potential for eco-tourism
Home to 25 factories producing sugar, rum, apparel, and more Houses Hampden Sugar Factory and Trelawny Sugar (formerly Long Pond Sugar Factory) Fishing
Falmouth Court House
Built in 1815 and rebuilt after a fire in 1926, this impressive structure features a handsome portico supported by four Doric columns and a double staircase.
Falmouth Parish Church
The Anglican Church of St. Peter's, built in 1795, is the oldest church in the parish. Donated land by Edward Barrett facilitated its construction, and it was expanded in 1842.
Hyde Hall Estate
Home to a monument erected in 1800 to a slave named Eve, the estate features historical ties to the area's enslaved population.
Windsor Caves
These caves offer guided tours through galleries of stalactites and arched ceilings, with the underground roar of the Martha Brae river during the rainy season.
Oyster Bay
Also known as Luminous Lagoon, this bay features bioluminescent micro-organisms that create a glowing effect at night, making fish appear like comets.
Good Hope Great House
Established in 1742, this estate once belonged to John Tharp, one of Jamaica's wealthiest men. The house, an example of Georgian architecture, has been restored as a stately hotel.
The Dome
Constructed in 1801, this iron foundry was essential for repairing sugar estate machinery during the sugar boom.
Martha Brae River Rafting
Visitors can enjoy a three-mile journey on bamboo rafts, starting at Rafters Village. The 90-minute journey offers bathing pools and shady glades along the way.
Trelawny, with its rich history, diverse natural beauty, and economic potential, remains a vital part of Jamaica's cultural and ecological landscape.