Long Mountain's history

Mountain View was once the major corridor leading from the Norman Manley International Airport, formerly Palisadoes Airport; and the gateway to the city of Kingston. It was once called Long Mountain Road because it runs parallel with the hill from Windward Road to the foot of Beverly Hills.

The community of Long Mountain comprises Jarrett Lane, Saunders Avenue, a section of Norman Gardens and Warieka Hill.

The Chinese were the first settlers of Long Mountain, which was primarily a residential area back then. All the business places, including a make-shift movie theatre along the Mountain View corridor, were owned and operated by the Chinese.

In the 1950s and 1960s, pottery was the main income earner and a brick factory was located at Jarrett Lane in the Long Mountain area. World-renowned potter, Cecil Baugh once resided in Long Mountain.

Training ground

Long Mountain was also a training ground for soldiers and that is how Butts Crescent got its name. The adjoining community of Norman Gardens was used as a cow pasture. Many famous Jamaicans, icons in media and entertainment lived in the Long Mountain area. People like Kingsley Cooper, CEO and chairman of Pulse; Neville Bell, celebrated football coach and TV host; Winston 'Baba Tundae' Witter, former talk show host; musicians Alton Black and Hopeton Lewis and DJs Deli Ranks and Black?

The Long Mountain Community Centre was built by reggae icon, the legendary Robert 'Bob' Marley after he saw the need for more community integration. His song 'Natural Mystic' was composed on the hillside of Warieka Hill where the community centre is presently located. This site was originally a block factory.

There are several initiatives in the district to attract the youths so that Long Mountain can continuously boast its successes, not only in music and sports, but through our young scholars who are making their mark.