Forgotten legacy - Greenwich Town’s 1907 earthquake memorial park abandoned

Once a prominent symbol of historical significance, the 1907 Earthquake Memorial Park in Bumper Hall, Greenwich Town, St. Andrew, now lies in neglect. Partially concealed by overgrown bushes, its importance in Jamaica's history is overshadowed by the passage of time.

The monument, which honours 501 unnamed victims of the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Jamaica 118 years ago, once attracted visitors from far and wide. Today, however, on the anniversary of the disaster that not only rocked Kingston but triggered a fire that consumed the city, the site stands abandoned, its legacy fading into obscurity.

"Mi caah remember the last time mi see this place clean up," said Junior Gordon, a 61-year-old lifelong resident of Greenwich Town. "This used to be a place weh everybody wah see. One time gone almost every week yuh used to see white people over there a tek picture but now nuh body nuh care bout the place," he said, referring to the park on Little Eight Street.

Erected in 1909, the monument was intended as a lasting tribute to those who perished in the 1907 earthquake, which claimed more than 1,000 lives and caused widespread devastation. According to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the 501 unidentified victims buried at the site symbolise both the tragedy and resilience of that fateful day.

"I remember back in the day, schools used to bring children on trips here to teach them about earthquakes. Suh it wasn't just a monument; it was a place where people learned something important," Gordon added.

Lisa Dunbar, a more recent resident, echoed his sentiments. Five years ago, she brought her then-15-year-old son to visit the site.

"It's important to remember these things, especially with all the earthquakes weh happen recently," she said. "But I don't think many people even know what this monument is any more--coming like them just forget bout it."

As Jamaica observes Earthquake Awareness Month, the 1907 Earthquake Memorial Park, meant to serve as a solemn reminder of the need for vigilance and preparedness, remains a victim of neglect and indifference.

In 2016, a small park was established around the monument, complete with perimeter fencing and an access road. The $15-million project aimed to create a space for reflection and education. At its unveiling, then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller expressed hope that the memorial park would remind Jamaicans of the importance of disaster preparedness.

"We expect that many more Jamaicans will come to learn about this major element of the history of Kingston and the history of Jamaica. This is our history as a people," Simpson Miller said.

Yet, eight years later, plans for further development of the park have stalled, and no clear arrangements seem to exist for its maintenance.

Renowned cultural ambassador and former executive director of the Institute of Jamaica, Vivian Crawford, was dismayed upon learning of the park's current state.

"The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey said, 'A people without the knowledge of their past, history, heritage, and culture is like a tree without roots.' That answers it because those whose lives were lost are a part of us, and that expression by Marcus Garvey is why we should be paying homage to them," Crawford said.

Crawford stressed the importance of the 1907 earthquake as a teaching moment for the nation. "Back then, there were no building codes like we have now. Structures were made with just bricks and mortar, which led to widespread collapse. The 1907 earthquake offers vital lessons in construction and disaster preparedness, lessons we must continue to learn from," he said.