Admiral’s Mountain Great House: Echoes from Coopers Hill

Situated in Coopers Hill, St Andrew, the Admiral’s Mountain Great House stands as a stately reminder of Jamaica’s layered history. Known also as Admiral Mountain, this grand estate was the residence of Admiral Peter Parker in 1780, then Commander-in-Chief of the British fleet in the West Indies.

Constructed in the late 1700s, the Great House was not just a private home but a symbol of naval authority and colonial power. Built under Parker’s tenure, it served as both a retreat from the coastal heat and a vantage point over the surrounding landscape.

One of its most famous guests was Horatio Nelson. In 1780, during his early naval career, Nelson was stationed in Jamaica. When illness struck him, he was here, cared for by Lady Parker and the household while recuperating from fever and dysentery. The house thus becomes more than bricks and mortar. It is a site where human frailty, care, camaraderie, and duty intersect.

Though many such Great Houses have fallen into ruin, Admiral’s Mountain remains in active public use and is protected as part of Jamaica’s heritage. Its preservation ensures that succeeding generations can walk the halls, see the views, and reflect upon Jamaica’s past, both triumphant and troubled.

SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGH

Set your sights high, and dare to achieve the highest. Make each day count, one filled with purpose and zest. You will never live this day again. Cherish it, make it yours. Love, smile, be happy. Let not stress steal your joy, for it is never worth the effort or the tears.

Go forward with vigour and might. Let the example of places like Admiral’s Mountain inspire you to approach life with a positive and proactive mindset. Built in challenging times, yet enduring. Built with vision and still standing. So, too, can you build your life with purpose, and let your legacy endure.

Have a great week ahead.

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com.