Savanna-la-Mar, often called Sav, is the capital of Westmoreland Parish in Jamaica. This coastal town has a rich history, including the construction of an 18th-century fort built for defense against pirates. Originally established during Spanish Jamaica, Savanna-la-Mar was devastated by a powerful hurricane in 1780 but was rebuilt due to its significance in the Atlantic slave and sugar trades.
After the abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean in 1833, Savanna-la-Mar became involved in efforts to help enslaved people escape from American ships. In 1855, Jamaicans aboard the United States brig Young America helped a fugitive slave, Anderson, gain his freedom, an act that went unnoticed by Jamaican magistrates but sparked a complaint from the U.S. consul.
Over the past 50 years, Savanna-la-Mar has experienced significant growth and development. The establishment of the National Housing Trust (NHT) in 1976, following the suggestion of then Minister of Housing Anthony Spaulding, aimed …
