The Ferry Inn

The Ferry Inn, Spanish Town Road, Caymanas, Kingston. It became a fashionable venue for Jamaican society.

In 1673, the King granted leave to William Parker to "erect a ferry and to keep a tavern near to said ferry" [to get across Fresh River, which was more of a swamp in those days]. It became the main road between Kingston and Spanish Town.
In 1677, the first Ferry Inn was built. (Some places have established April 17, 1684.)
In 1840, George Stiebel was involved with the reconstruction of the Ferry Inn. He later became Jamaica's first Black millionaire, and he built the Devon House in 1881.
In the early 1800s, Lady Nugent wrote about the inn in her journal. Men would stop at the inn either to sleep or to breakfast there. There were dishes of mountain mullet, callipever and mud fish. [what are today's names for these two fish?]
After the building of the railroad in 1845-46, it ceased to be the regular half-way house between Spanish Town and Kingston.
In the early 20th century, the building was the office of the United Fruit Company. [need better documentation]
In 1928, R.C. Evans of the inn wrote a letter to the Gleaner on the origin of the word "chauffeur."
In 1939, the inn was under new management.
In 1957, Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott are owners of the inn.
In April 1957, Mr. William Chase, an American resident in Jamaica, now owner of the inn, opens the Old Ferry Inn under the new name River Club. It was more of a restaurant and bar with dancing.
In May 1959, the River Club at Old Ferry Inn is for sale.
On April 1, 1960, the River Club closes.
On September 10, 1960, The Ferry Inn reopens with dining and dancing. Ads for such continue into 1961.
In August 1961, the inn was open under new management. Now has exquisite "Cordon Bleu" cuisine. Open for lunch, dinner and snacks all days. Tuesday night is now party night, the only night with entertainment. Ads in the Gleaner become continuous.
In December 1961, the inn also had a 20' lifeboat for cruising on the river. Offered every day, all day long.
Under Charles Hernould, seafood became a specialty. He later had big bands out in a riverside barbeque patio. [passed ads] He added floors, walls and "authentic" 18th century louvre windows. His masterstroke was conceiving of rafting on the Fresh River. A string of miniature billboards east and west on the road made sure everyone knew exactly where the inn was.
In December 1967, the New Year's Eve party was cancelled due to circumstances beyond their control, and all ads stop. The host, Charles Hernould, has left for the Green Gables.
On February 1, 1968, the inn opened under the new management of Albert and Maria Oliver. Now a fine restaurant (mostly continental), bar service, and catering for wedding receptions, parties, etc. Saturday night was discotheque night. Psychedelic, ultra-violet, ruby red, lighting commencing at 9:00 P.M. Ads were infrequent. The inn became known for its substantial meals and for its gracious situation.
For the New Year's Eve Gala in 1968, they had dancing in three separate areas.
In March 1969, the inn has added 14 modern, air-conditioned rooms. They had minimal kitchenettes and were separate from the inn. There was a pool. Ads were frequent for a few months. Also a few shops were added. Probably the small building to the west of the main building.
In September 1969, want ads for studio flats start appearing.
The 1969 New Year's Eve Ball was heavily advertised. Then back to just the infrequent ads for flats available.
In March 1971, ads start appearing for Ferry Inn Hotel & Apartments, but they quickly change to just apartments. Ads are frequent and the rate becomes monthly only. But after a while the daily rate returns. Ads for dances still appear periodically.
In November 1971 the restaurant was air-conditioned, and large restaurant ads became more frequent.
From June to August 1974, the inn is advertised for sale. Presumably John Elliott bought it.
In April 1975, they start advertising The Ferry Inn Disco. Air conditioned apartments are noted.
In July 1975 and August 1976 the inn is again for sale. There are now 12 self-contained studio apartments.
June 1979 is the last ad for an event at the inn.
In March 1982 the inn is again listed for sale. This time Mrs. Ruby Walcott, a lawyer, buys the inn from John Elliott.
From April to July 1983, there are ads for the disco session at The Ferry Club in the Ye Olde Ferry Inn. The restaurant is also open. Ads or mentions of events continue on and off until January 1989, when the inn was closed for renovations.
From January to February of 1989, the inn is attacked by PNP activists with guns and machetes. Mrs. Walcott is running as the JLP candidate for St Catherine. The inn does not reopen.
In June 1989, Coney Park, an amusement park is being constructed next door on seven acres with 29 rides. The Ferry Inn is to be incorporated into the park. The park opened in October. The last mention of the park operating is December 1996.
The buildings are still there. The buildings appear to be part of the school that is now to the west (on the amusement park site).
Many pictures and some history are at In search of the Ferry Inn, Jamaica