Linstead

History

 

Made famous by its bustling weekly fresh produce market, Linstead is a small inland town that has been a favourite meeting place for central Jamaicans since the 19th century. As a major commercial centre, farmers from the fertile hills and adjacent plains would journey here to sell a wide variety of produce, and thus, the town of Linstead developed primarily because of the market. Linstead market, made famous by the old Jamaican folk song “Carry mi ackee go a Linstead Market”, was once the largest and most popular market in St Catherine, if not in the whole island, because of its prime location for farmers and vendors alike. The areas around Linstead are overwhelmingly rural, and the economic hardship of the people, usually small farmers, gave rise to the song’s lament “carry mi ackee go a Linstead Market/not a quattie worth sell/laawd, what a night not a bite/what a Saturday night”.

 

Famous For

 

Since each town or village in Jamaica now has its own market, the Linstead Market has declined somewhat in importance. In the 19th century, however, it was a key meeting place for wholesalers of coffee and pimento for export. It is still one of the most frequented markets, however, because its reputation has lasted through the years as one of the best places in Jamaica to access fresh farm produce. The market has branched out somewhat, and now just about any item, from the latest fashions to toothpaste and homemade soap, can be bought from the vendors there, who sometimes display their goods in wooden stalls on the streets.

 

Don't Miss

 

The Linstead Anglican Church, the Church of St Thomas-In-The-Vale, has a remarkable history. Originally built in the 17th century, this church has been destroyed by a number of hurricanes and an earthquake, but each time has been assiduously rebuilt and re-consecrated by its congregants. The most recent rebuild happened in 1911. Although there isn’t a doubt that it will blow away (having lasted through three major hurricanes in the 20th century), it should be safe to say that it will be rebuilt, if necessary!