Saint James Parish, Jamaica – Montego Bay, the old 'Bay of Lard'
Montego Bay, the capital of St. James, takes its name from the Spanish word manteca, meaning lard. During Spanish rule, lard made from wild hogs in the forests was exported from here, and early maps named the harbour Bahia de Manteca. The parish itself was named St. James in honour of King James II by Sir Thomas Modyford, the island's first English governor.
At first St. James was one of the poorest parishes, but after the treaty with the Maroons in 1739 it became a major sugar-producing area, and Montego Bay developed into a busy port. Today Montego Bay is officially Jamaica's second city and a world-famous destination. Have a story from St. James? Share it with the community!