A History of Fort Augusta
By Kennedy Reid (October 23, 2006) | Edited by Joneil J. Alcock (2011)
Introducing Fort Augusta
Fort Augusta is a large fortification built between 1740-1750 at the entrance to the Kingston Harbour. The fort falls within the borders of the Municipality of Portmore and is therefore one of the most signifiacnt sites in that community. In the 1950s, it was converted into a prison and has become inaccessible to the general public ever since then. At that time, artifacts from the military graves located just ouside the fort were brought into the fort.
After the purchase of the area, the fort resides in, by the Port Authority, reports were that the fort was to be significantly dismantled (except for small portions) as part of the plans to expand the Kingston Port. This destruction would have been a tragedy to such a beacon of historic significance. Additionally the place has much economic potential. Dr. David Buisseret has stated that the fort is "one of the most remarkable pieces of eighteenth-century architecture to survive in Jamaica."
The following pages attempt to spread some light on the interesting history of Fort Augusta and ends by making a case for it's continued preservation.
BACK TO HISTORY MENU GO TO PAGE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5