If you are driving by, you will definitely miss it if you are not sure what you are looking for as there is not much to see. I have passed that area numerous times but only saw it while I was walking on my way back to Ocho Rios town from Dunn’s River. If you appreciate history like I do, you would be happy you see it as it tells you about our strong and interesting history by allowing you to use your imagination to travel through time.
The Ocho Rios fort is one of the oldest building in Ocho Rios. It was originally built in the late 17th century. Like all other forts in the island, it was strengthened in 1780 when Jamaica was expecting an attack from the French. Its unique location allowed it to aim directly at vessels entering the channel of the harbour. In 1795, an enemy vessel appeared off Ocho Rios harbour but fearing the guns there, it decided to attack Mammee Bay.
In more recent time the building has been used as an abattoir. It is located to the west of Ocho Rios between Columbus Foot Beach and Dunn’s River Falls.
There is not much left of the fort besides a wall with four cannons that still faces the sea. Two of the cannons were brought here to protect the bay from the French and the other two once protected Mammee Bay.
Its presence in the town was maintained by Reynolds Jamaica Mines 1950 until 1986, after which Jamaica Bauxite Mining took over the responsibility.
