Kingston Parish – founded after the Port Royal earthquake of 1692
Kingston was founded on the Liguanea Plain to house the survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck Port Royal in 1692. Just a year later, in 1693, it became a parish by resolution of the Jamaican Assembly, and the young town grew quickly around its great natural harbour.
In 1872 Kingston officially became the national capital, succeeding Spanish Town, and in 1923 it was joined with neighbouring St. Andrew to form the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. Although it is Jamaica's smallest parish, covering just 22 square kilometres, it is the heart of the nation's political, cultural and economic life. Have a Kingston story or family memory? Share it with the community!