Interesting Places I've Photographed
Gun Hill Signal Station
St. George, Barbados
St. George, Barbados
Topic: Philatelic Photographs
The Gun Hill Signal Station was built in 1818 following a slave rebellion. It served to relay messages between Christ Church and St. Joseph (Cotton Tower) stations. it also was used as a convalescent facility for British soldiers and their families.
Its fortified position high on a cliff affords a panoramic view of southwest Barbados and the Caribbean Sea beyond. As such, it also was used as a lookout tower to defend the island from attack from the sea and as a weather observatory to warn of impending storms.
In 1980, restoration of the signal tower and surrounding garden grounds was begun by the Barbados National Trust. The project was completed in 1983. The area is now one of its prime heritage attractions in Barbados.
A sign at Gun Hill Signal Station recalls its history. It reads:
The Slave Route
claiming our future in the past
GUN HILL
SIGNAL
STATION
Erected after the 1816 slave Rebellion,
this station served Barbadian and British
military units primarily for the relay of
information on any impending slave revolts.
It was also used to provide information on
approaching ships and hurricanes to
several other stations across the island.
The role signal stations became less
important after the introduction of the
telephone. The facility was restored in
1980 by the Barbados National Trust
The Gun Hill Signal Station in St. George, Barbados is depicted on one of four stamps issued by Barbados on March 12, 2012 as part of a set of stamps depicting historical sites around Bridgetown and its Garrison.
GPS: N13° 08.599; W059° 33.454
Quick Description:
Gun Hill Signal Station
is located on top of Gun Hill Cliff in the town of St. George in Barbados.
Long Description:
The Gun Hill Signal Station was built in 1818 following a slave rebellion. It served to relay messages between Christ Church and St. Joseph (Cotton Tower) stations. it also was used as a convalescent facility for British soldiers and their families.
Its fortified position high on a cliff affords a panoramic view of southwest Barbados and the Caribbean Sea beyond. As such, it also was used as a lookout tower to defend the island from attack from the sea and as a weather observatory to warn of impending storms.
In 1980, restoration of the signal tower and surrounding garden grounds was begun by the Barbados National Trust. The project was completed in 1983. The area is now one of its prime heritage attractions in Barbados.
A sign at Gun Hill Signal Station recalls its history. It reads:
claiming our future in the past
GUN HILL
SIGNAL
STATION
Erected after the 1816 slave Rebellion,
this station served Barbadian and British
military units primarily for the relay of
information on any impending slave revolts.
It was also used to provide information on
approaching ships and hurricanes to
several other stations across the island.
The role signal stations became less
important after the introduction of the
telephone. The facility was restored in
1980 by the Barbados National Trust
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