Fort Haldane

Fort Haldane

Fort Haldane was established in 1759 and named after George Haldane, the ruler of Jamaica at the time. The fort was built to defend against Spanish colonial invasions and protect the harbor of Port Maria. Additionally, it served as a stronghold for maintaining governance and subjugating the working class.

In 1760, Fort Haldane played a significant role in the resistance against slavery when, on Easter Sunday, a group of enslaved people assassinated the fort's commanding officer and stole gunpowder and weapons. They fought alongside thousands of other slaves for five months but were ultimately defeated. Due to its long history of conflict and frequent damage from hurricanes, the fort now only has two cannons and a few remaining structures left. The cannons face the sea and are at least 250 years old. The windows of the buildings have long since disappeared, but the structures are still quite solid, with walls that are at least two feet thick—some parts were even used as air raid shelters in the past.

Fort Haldane

Why Go: One of Jamaica’s most impressive forts

Continent: North America

Country/Region: Jamaica

Province/State: Middlesex County

City: Saint Mary