Lucea, Jamaica
Lucea . . . . Hanover, Jamaica's smallest parish, Lucea (Lucy
) was founded in 1723. Lucea is its capital and main town. From the middle of the 18th century, the people of Lucea provided the rest of Jamaica with most of its produce but mainly exported bananas until the 1960s.
Lucea lies between two of Jamaica's most prominent resort cities, Negril and Montego Bay,
Lucea is the home of the Lucea yam which was exported to feed Jamaicans working abroad.
Fort Charlotte in Lucea was built in 1761. Alongside the fort is an impressive Georgian brick structure known as The Barracks, which was built in 1843 to provide shelter to the soldiers stationed there. In the early 1900s it became the educational center for the town and has now been transformed to become part of the Rusea High School complex. In 1982 Rusea High School was merged with the Hanover Secondary School and is now known as the Rusea Comprehensive High School (Fort Charlotte).
The still fully fun
ctional Lucea clock tower was built in 1817 and stands in the town center near the Old Lucea courthouse.
Other notable tourist attractions are Lucea’s many historical sites that date back as far as the 1700s. Lucea Parish Church (the Parish Church of Hanover) is one of the oldest churches in Jamaica. Although no record of when it was first built existsm the first baptism record dates back to 1725, the first burial was in 1727, and the first marriage in 1749. It is said that there is a tunnel that leads from the church to nearby F
ort Charlotte, which was a safe haven in time of war. The Hanover Museum sits on the site of a prison dating back to 1776, and houses many historical artifacts significant to Hanover’s history.
Lucea boasts many clubs and parks as well as the historical attractions, and museum. Lucea's most popular dance clubs that attract both tourists and local people are the 300 Club, founded in 1955, Green Dragon, and Border Line. The Tryall Golf, Tennis & Beach Club sits on a 2,200 acre property, and is outside of Lucea's and is Hanover's most exclusive resort.
Hotels in Lucea
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