Did you know that Belmont was Port of Spain’s first suburb? Picture this: the year is 1850. The Laventille Hills loom large. At their feet lies Belmont a burgeoning community unlike any other.
Belmont’s story is one of resilience. It began with the arrival of Africans rescued from illegal slave ships by the Royal Navy. They settled here at the foot of the hills finding refuge and a new beginning. These weren’t enslaved people. They were free. They brought their culture their traditions.
In the 1880s and 90s Belmont’s population exploded. Narrow winding lanes appeared organically reflecting the community’s growth. It wasn’t planned. It just happened. The black professional class unable to afford homes in wealthier neighbourhoods built grand houses in Belmont. It became known as “the Black St Clair” a testament to its ambition and its residents’ determination. Many of those beautiful homes remain. Some have been converted into businesses. Others are still family homes.
Belmont is more than just houses. It’s a place steeped in history. Myler House stands proudly. It’s a renovated beauty a symbol of preservation. Legend says the first President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ellis Clarke was born on Myler Street just a short walk from here.
Then there are the institutions: St Jude’s Home for Girls a haven since 1923. Nearby is St Dominic’s Home for children a place that has existed for almost 150 years. L’Hospice a home for the aged offers comfort. These places speak volumes about Belmont’s compassion and its commitment to community.
Belmont has schools and churches of many denominations. There’s even a Catholic Religious Education Development Institute offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. And don’t forget the church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi a testament to Belmont’s enduring faith. Even the Belmont cemetery St Margaret of Antioch Anglican Church Cemetery is a historical landmark.
Many famous people call Belmont home or called it home. Artists like Leroy Clarke a national icon. Civil rights leader Stokely Carmichael. And the list goes on.
Belmont is a place of contrasts. It’s a neighbourhood where history whispers through the narrow streets. Where the past merges seamlessly with the present. Where the spirit of resilience and the pride of community shine brightly. As you walk away from Belmont remember its rich past and its vibrant present. Remember the stories the lanes the people. Belmont lives on.