History of San Fernando
page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Major Economic Activities

The Amerindian's economy was based on the cultivation of cassava and ground provisions, hunting and fishing.

Before 1780 - The first settlers, Capuchin missionaries engaged in the cultivation of rich cocoa fields which they had established around the missions.

The slow erosion of the Purissma Mission to its primitive isolation and the migration of the missionaries to Venezuela, saved the demise of coca.

1780 Sugar then replaced coca as the main crop of the area. It came to San Fernando through the efforts of the French, who flocked to the colony in the 1780's under the "Cedula of Population". The lands of Naparima were rich and the sugar cane was ratooned year after year without replanting or without replanting or without the benefits of fertilizers.

1790 When the British landed in 1797, the sugar industry was flourishing. Coffee and cotton were also being successfully cultivated. The settlers were responsible for twenty (20) sugar mills, eight (8) rum distilleries, twenty five (25) coffee mills and twenty eight (28) cotton mills.

1860 Point Lisas Development Plan began to take shape, initiated and managed by San Fernandians.

[ back to top ]

Street and Place Names

Many streets in the town of San Fernando were named after the Governor's who served in the island during the colonial period.

STREET NAMED NAME IN HONOR OF

• Keate Street Sir William Keate who governed Trinidad from 1857 to 1864
• Sutton Street Governor J.H.T. Manners-Sutton (1864 - 1866)
• Rushworth Street Sir Edward Everard Rushworth (1866)
• Lewis Street Governor Lewis Grant (1829 - 1833)
• Gordon Street Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon (1866 - 1870)
• Harris Street Lord Harris (1846 - 1854)
• Irving Street Sir Henry Irving (1875 - 1880)
• Freeling Street Sir Sanford Freeling (1880 -1883)
• Gransual Street Land owner Gransual
• Gomez Street The Gomez family whom the Borough Council had originally
  Bought Paradise Estate.
• Prince Alfred Street Prince Albert Victor
• Prince of Wales Street Prince George, the then Prince of Wales.

[ back to top ]

Social / Cultural Activities

CULTURAL HALLS
In the 1890's three public halls provide adequate accommodation for public dances, concerts, tea parties, and other forms of amusement.

NAPARIMA BOWL
A significant development in the provision of recreational amenities was the creation of the ornate Naparima Bowl in 1962. The institution which was conceived by the people of the town led by Robert Montano, saw the light of day only after a Herculean struggle on their part.

The "Bowl" as it was familiarly known is situated on Paradise Pasture. It met the needs of the town in its cultural efforts. These had always been stymied in a collection of friendly society halls, the old drill hall and of course the town hall. Over the years it had been the main auditorium for it's singers, dancers, and musicians. Other venues now are Gulf City Shopping Complex Auditorium, Presentation College San Fernando Auditorium, Naparima Girls Auditorium, St Joseph Convent San Fernando Auditorium, The Palms Club and Finally the San Fernando City Hall Auditorium.

CONCERTS
San Fernando became famous for the standard its classical concerts Canon and Mrs. Stokely Doorly gained fame as the countries leading musicians.

THE POLICE BAND:-
The Police Band gave fortnightly concerts at Harris Promenade Bandstand.

SKINNER PARK
Skinner Park, the athletic mecca of the south came into being in 1930 as a result of a gift of fifteen acres of land from the Usine Ste. Madeline Sugar Company. It was formerly called 'Usine Park', but later renamed 'Skinner Park' after Mr. Gilbert Chancery Skinner, the manager of the company who made the offer of the land to the Borough Council.

SPORTS
Tennis, football, quoits and golf were some of the games that gained popularity during the 1890's. Other games that are popular among the San Fernando population were rowing, regattas and boxing. The first boxing match was held by Palmyra Pastures in 1898. Box carts were also popular in San Fernando in the 1891's though considered a dangerous form of amusement.

HUNTING
A popular pastime for San Fernando citizens hunting the San Fernando Hills - the hunt of the manicou, lapper, deer and wild dog.

HORSE RACING
The Union Park Racing Clubs was founded in 1892 following the 20yrs. Leasing of 100acres of land at lemon. The first race meeting was held in 1894. Horse racing now takes place at Santa Rosa Park at Arima.

CYCLING
The first bicycle ever seen by most residents entered the town of San Fernando on 26th March 1895. It was ridden by Mr. Hoadley a famous cyclist from Port of Spain. Cycling is a very popular sport now, annually there are Sporting and Cycling events at Guaracara Park called Southern Games featuring athletes from around the globe.

THE CARNIVAL OF 1919
The Celebration of Carnival took a long time to become established on San Fernando's calendar of events. The institution received civic recognition in the town when completion's were organized for the first time on the 3rd March, 1919at Paradise Pasture. Prices were offered for fancy dressed bands, most original band, the most topical band and the most decorated motor car, horse cabs and motor - cycle, best costume and best song (calypso). Today, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the greatest show on the Earth.