Kingston, Guyana
Kingston | |
|---|---|
Ward | |
 Kingston in the 19th century | |
  Kingston | |
| Coordinates: 6°49′23″N 58°09′45″W / 6.82315°N 58.16239°WCoordinates: 6°49′23″N 58°09′45″W / 6.82315°N 58.16239°W | |
| Country | Guyana |
| City | Georgetown |
| Population (2012)[1] | |
| • Total | 971 |
Kingston is a former village in Demerara. In 1837, it became a ward of Georgetown. The ward is located along the Atlantic Ocean coast.[2] Kingston is home to many landmarks and historic buildings.[3]
History[]
Around 1759, Cornelius Leary applied for land, and established a coffee and cotton plantation near the mouth of the Demerara River. Eve Leary, his wife, later inherited the plantation. In 1796, the Dutch colony of Demerara was captured from by the British. English officers started to built cottages and gardens near Eve Leary's estate.[4] In 1837, the village was annexed by Georgetown.[2] Many of the elite of Georgetown started to construct residences in Kingston.[5]
The origin of the name is disputed. Some historians claim that it relates to Lieutenant Robert Kingston who built the fort at Georgetown while others say it was named after King George III.[6]
Kingston was prone to frequent flooding giving its vicinity to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1892, the Georgetown Sea Wall was constructed to protect Georgetown.[2]
Many historic buildings and landmarks have been constructed in the Kingston ward. It is also home to many embassies. The ward contains two large hotels: The Pegasus, and the Marriott.[3] The St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, a Catholic non-profit hospital,[7] and the headquarters of the are located in Kingston.[8]
In November 2021, it was announced that area around the Sea Wall will be redeveloped into a tourist hub as part of the National Beautification Project by First Lady .[9]
Sights[]
The main sights in Kingston are:
- Umana Yana and the African Liberation Monument, a benab (conical palm hut) erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference.[6]
- Red House, the former official residence of the Premier of British Guiana. Nowadays, it houses the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.[6]
- Georgetown Lighthouse.[6]
- Georgetown Seawall Bandstand.[6]
- Immigration Agent General Office, the headquarters for administrating the Indian indentured servants. The building is nowadays used by the National Centre for Education Resource Development.[6]
- Austin House, the Anglican Bishop’s residence.[6]
- "We, the First People", a mural painted on the walls of the Canadian High Commission.[3]
References[]
- ^ "2012 Population by Village". Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Eric Roberts (2000). "Nineteenth Century Georgetown". Kyk-over-Al. p. 30. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "With numerous landmarks and attractions, Kingston touted as potential tourism site". News Room Guyana. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Georgetown Guyana: Historic Kingston". Guyanese Online. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Odeen Ishmael (2005). The Guyana Story - Growth of Georgetown. Guyana.org. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Historic Kingston". National Trust of Guyana. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Guyana". Simply Guyana. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Police internal affairs office destroyed in Eve Leary fire". Stabroek News. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Kingston Seawall to be developed into major tourist hub by next year". iNews Guyana. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kingston, Guyana. |
- Demerara
- Wards of Georgetown, Guyana
- Tourist attractions in Guyana