By Rodney Miller, Gleaner WriterHIGHGATE, St. Mary:
LOCATED SOME 1,200 feet above sea level, overlooking the verdant landscape of the Richmond community in St. Mary, is Highgate, one of the parishes developing towns.
In late 19th century, it had emerged from the rebellion of 1865 as a small village stationed amid the St. Mary woodlands.
At that time, the village was only accessible via an often muddy path. "Horses sunk to their knees and the travellers only guide was the fence post," according to records of the late Reverend Samuel Augustus Swaby.
Transportation was restricted to mule carts and cow-wains and the economy was feeble, especially given that the glorious reign of 'king sugar' had ended.
However, the town managed to boost its economy through banana production.
BEAUTY AND PRODUCTION
Its fertile hills and gentle slopes were not only of scenic beauty, but were also conducive to large-scale banana cultivation. To celebrate this economic transition, a banana festival was held each year at the St. Cyprian's Church located in the town. But this has changed over the years as Highgate has laid aside large scale agriculture.
Named after the residential district of the same name, near London, England, between the 1950s and the 1960s, Highgate was among the list of Jamaica's cleanest towns.
Frederick Young, president of the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce, describes the area as an inner rural town where small scale farming of banana and cocoa exists, but which is overshadowed by commerce.
Small farmers, especially from the Tremolesworth and the Esher areas, continue to contribute to Highgate's economy through the cultivation of crops such as bananas, coconuts and cocoa. But business has become the mainstay of the economy.
Numerous privately owned enterprises have made the town home, becoming significant contributors to its development. The town boasts two plazas, a shopping centre, a market, three supermarkets, a commercial bank, the St. Mary Credit Union, an insurance company, Stockholm Park Housing Scheme, two authorised Digicel dealers, bookstores, restaurants, photo studios and a factory producing the world famous Highgate chocolate.
COMMERCIALISATION
Because of its development, Highgate has become a central commercial district where consumers and sales persons from places such as Guys Hill, Port Maria, Clonmel, Richmond and other surrounding areas converge.
Within recent years there has been an increase in the number of businesses in the town, including haberdasheries, wholesale and retail shops and a technological centre, Touch Technologies Limited, which offers an Internet café, docucentre, computer classes and equipment.
Steve Mitchell, manager of Touch Technologies, believes that improved technology will contribute to Highgate's further development. "I see Highgate as a developing community in areas of education, social life and recreation," he said, adding that his centre had a responsibility to provide customers with the services that will enhance their technological capacities.
In terms of education, Highgate is described as the 'intellectual mecca' of St. Mary. It is the home of St. Mary High and the Catholic-owned Marymount High Schools, in addition to the Highgate Primary and Junior High School.
