Garrison Historic Area
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Garrison Historic Area is a small district located in the country of Barbados. At times just called "The Garrison". During Barbados' colonial days the area was the settlement base and headquarters for members of the British West Indies Regiment stationed in Barbados during the 1600s and 1700s. The area is situated about 2 miles East of the capital-city Bridgetown, the Garrison area contains several buildings including a barracks for housing military personnel, in addition to the large grassy parade-grounds known as the Garrison Savannah. In the mid-1800s the area gave way to Horseracing in Barbados. Prominent wealthy Barbadians and regiments troops stationed in the area began what is now the current day tradition of Horse racing at the Garrison.
The Garrison Historic area is also the exact location of a house where George Washington stayed for six weeks while visiting his sick brother in Barbados. The house simply today called the 'George Washington House' was where the first president of the United States stayed in Barbados during the year 1751. [1]
On the southern end of the district is Saint Ann's Fort, where the Barbados Defence Force today is based.
On November 30, 1966 the Garrison Historic Area was also the location where the ceremony was held for the lowering of the Union Jack (British flag), and the raising of the Barbados flag, thus ushering in full independence for the country of Barbados from the United Kingdom.
The Garrison Historic Area is located within a short range of both the capital-city Bridgetown and the town of Hastings located in the neighbouring parish of Christ Church.
