Waterloo House
| Waterloo House | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of the Waterloo House area | |
| Alternative names | Waterloo Guest House |
| General information | |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Location | Black River, Jamaica, 44 High Street[1] |
| Year built | 1819 |
| Destroyed | October 2025 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Waterloo House was the first private house in Jamaica to be lit by electricity.[2] It was located in Black River, Jamaica.[3] The house was built in 1819 and was named in honor of the Battle of Waterloo for a branch of the Shakespeare family.[4][5] John William Leydon is reported to be the first owner of the house.[6] Leydon's sons were the ones to install electricity in the house.[6] The house was bought in 1938 by Ferdinand Stewart.[6] The Waterloo House became a guest house in 1972.[4] It was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Waterloo Guest House". Jamaica Travel and Culture. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Correal, Annie; Adams, David C. (29 October 2025). "Melissa Leaves Black River, Centuries-Old Jamaican Port Town, 'Totally Destroyed'". New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "Black River first town in Jamaica to receive electricity". Jamaica Observer. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b c Paul, Annie (25 November 2025). "A decolonial wind? Hurricane Melissa decimated western Jamaica's colonial buildings". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Black River: From heritage to hope". Jamaica Gleaner. 30 November 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Waterloo Guest House steeped in history". Jamaica Gleaner. 30 August 2019. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2025.