by Linda Straker
- Dougaldston Estate is a 300-year-old historical plantation
- Estate measures 600 acres and contains 4 buildings
- Fire destroyed boucan early on Monday morning
Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste, has described the destruction of the Dougaldston cocoa boucan in St John, as a tragic loss to the family who owned the historical tourist attraction, and a national loss.
“The loss of this historic building is a national loss. This plantation building told a great story about our history and tradition,” Modeste said after seeing photos of the fire which destroyed the building early on Monday morning. “This building told a story of the work which took place there. It’s really with a heavy heart that I learned about the destroying of this plantation building by fire.”
She recalled that she had personally visited the tourist attraction and discussions were ongoing with the owners to improve on the product. “When I visited there, I was very excited about the discussion to have this turn into a major attraction which included using the bubbling stream with the estate. Now this shall be no more.” She explained that the expanded project also involved a farm to table experience as part of the concept.
Thousands have visited the boucan as part of historical tours that often include a visit to the Gouyave Nutmeg processing plant.
Owned by the Branch family, Dougaldston Estate is a 300-year-old historical plantation which offered a unique ecotourism experience. The estate measures 600 acres and contains 4 buildings, including an old great house and the boucan.
To the back of the boucan there was an office with ledgers showing records of spices bought and sold in the early 20th Century. The main plantation building was featured in White Squall – a 1996 release film recounting a 1961 adventure-filled ordeal of a sea captain and a group of teenage boys who set off on a brigantine sailing school an 8-month Caribbean voyage.
The Fire Department at Gouyave Police station, in the early hours of Monday, got the call about the fire and immediately took action but was unable to save the wooden building which is located not far away from residential homes.
Police have started an investigation into the cause of the blaze which also destroyed dry cocoa beans, property of the Grenada Cocoa Association.
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Yes they did… my dad Roy de Freitas told me the story many times. Ones of the four de Freitas brothers went from the north of the island by boat (no decent roads in those days). He signed for the property on behalf of his three brothers and himself. Unfortunately, when he died, the property reverted to his wife and the other three got nothing. She changed her name. Not sure if it was by way of a legal document or marriage. My great-great-grandfather was one of the three brothers.
My lovely dad passed away last year at the age of 87……
Angie de Freitas-Eales.
From what I understand Branch stole the property from the Defreitas family.
This is so sad I have photos of the papers and records of the plantation since the first original ownership that I acquired during my three to four year period when I was attempting to purchase the entire property from the Branch family. If anyone is of interest I can be reached at [email protected] or call 904-759-4312