Port Antonio (Puerto Anton)
Port Antonio is the Government center and chief town for the parish of Portland.
It is situated just about in the middle of the parish and serves as the hub for shopping, supplies,
entertainment and culture. Port Antonio's name was originally Puerto Anton seeing that it was named by the
Spaniards who originally settled the town.
The history of Port Antonio is long and exciting. From being a sleepy Fort town to becoming a Jet
Setting hang out, its seen a lot of changes. Port Antonio was among the early leaders in the tourism
industry, with its then famous Titchfield hotel and unique "rafting on the Rio Grande."
Alas, the famousTitchfield hotel was burnt to the ground and never replaced. Just like the Titchfield, the
Capitol theatre burnt to the ground and the newer Delmar theatre was razed to accomodate a shopping center.
Note - Investing in a multi purpose theatre could be a winner for some smart investor.
From the late nineteen forties to the early seventies Port Antonio experienced its greatest growth.
The banana and sugar industies were still highly functional and the railroad with its "train" and "diesel"
still plied daily between the town and the capital city Kingston, bringing sugar, bananas, and new
settlers. Drawn by the availability of jobs the population doubled within twenty five years, and
new suburbs rose out of formerly uninhabited areas.
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