The document summarizes the history of the Old Iron Bridge in Spanish Town, Jamaica, the Emancipation Square, and some of the historical buildings surrounding the square. It discusses how the bridge was constructed in 1801 to span the Rio Cobre River, making it the oldest bridge of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. It also provides background on Spanish Town, noting it was the original capital of Jamaica from 1534 to 1655 and 1872. The Emancipation Square is described as commemorating the abolition of slavery and containing several important historical buildings from the 18th and 19th century.

1. Old Iron Bridge Spanish
Town
&
Emancipation Square

3. • In the late 18th century, Jamaica's House of Assembly
passed an act commissioning the construction of a much-
needed bridge between Kingston and Spanish Town in
St. Catherine.

4. • This bridge, which spans the Rio Cobre river at the
eastern end of Spanish Town, can be seen from the
bridge that is currently being used. The abutment of the
bridge is constructed with cut stone while the bridge is
cast iron. It is about 81ft long and 15ft wide.

5. • This bridge, erected in 1801, at a cost of four thousand
pounds is the oldest bridge of its kind in the Western
Hemisphere.
• The bridge was declared a National Monument by the
JNHT and was at one time placed on the UNESCO list of
endangered world sites. It was designed by British
Engineer Thomas Wilson, cast in 1801 and shipped to
Jamaica in prefabricated parts which were assembled
and mounted on its stone abutments in 1802.

7. • Spanish Town, built by the Spanish after
Sevilla Nueva (New Seville) was abandoned,
dates from 1534. It was first known as Villa de
la Vega, later St. Jago de la Vega and then
Spanish Town. The town is the oldest
continuously inhabited city in Jamaica. It was
the capital of Spanish Jamaica from 1534 to
1655. When the English captured the island in
1655, Spanish Town remained the capital of
the island until 1872 when this status was
conferred on Kingston. Spanish Town still
possesses memories of the past with its many
historical buildings. The Emancipation Square
is generally acclaimed to be the most
impressive of its kind in the West Indies.

8. • In 1762, a new official residence for
the Governor, King's House, was
erected on the siteof the Old Spanish
Hall of Audience. The Hall was
demolished in 1761 to make room for
the new mansion. This building
formed the first unit of the civic
square designed in the then popular
Georgian style.
• In 1838, the proclamation of the
abolition of slavery was read from the
steps of King's House. The structure
was destroyed by fire in 1925 leaving
only the main eastern facade and the
stables.

9. • This elaborate edifice was created in
honour of the celebrated British Admiral
Lord Rodney.The Memorial, designed by
the famous English sculptor John Bacon in
1801, commemorates Rodney's victory
over a French fleet that had attempted to
invade the island in 1782. Rodney is made
to resemble a Roman Emperor.

10. This Georgian building on the south side
was the last unit built to complete the
Square. It was erected in 1819 at a cost of
15, 700 pounds. The site was originally a
cemetery and later a Chapel. It was then
altered to form an arsenal for small arms.
This structure was eventually destroyed
and the Court House was then erected on
the site. The upper level of the building
was used as a Town Hall.
In 1986, the Court House was destroyed
by fire.

11. • This two storey brick structure was
constructed around 1762. The House of
Assembly was the scene of many bitter
debates and struggles between the
Governors and the members of the
Assembly.
• The Assembly Chamber was used
occasionally to host balls to honour
celebrities. In 1838 for example, the
Assembly Chamber was used to host a
ball in honour of Sir Henry Bartley on his
arrival in Jamaica as Governor.