Parish: St. Thomas
Bath Botanic Garden, located in the parish of St. Thomas, holds an important place in Jamaica’s history as one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Established in 1779 by an act of the Jamaica House of Assembly, it is believed to be the second oldest garden of its kind in the region, just behind the botanical garden in St. Vincent, which was founded in 1755. The creation of Bath Botanic Garden came shortly after the establishment of the town of Bath, and the land for the garden was set aside for both recreational and economic purposes, with a focus on growing plants that were useful to both the local community and the island as a whole.
The garden was not just a beautiful place for visitors to relax—it also played an essential role in Jamaica’s economy. Medicinal plants were planted for their healing properties, and the garden became an important destination for those visiting the nearby Bath Mineral Spa, which was well known for its therapeutic …
