Port Antonio Court House

Port Antonio Court House was erected in 1895 on the direction of the Colonial Secretary. A plaque inside the building bears a message to the Governor from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated November 16, 1918, expressing the British government’s appreciation of the military efforts of the Jamaicans during World War 1.

An outstanding feature of this edifice is the ornate iron baluster supported by cast iron columns, made by William McFarlane and Company of Glasgow, Scotland. The design is very similar to that found on the DeMontevin Lodge located on nearby Titchfield Hill Peninsula.

In 2004, fire destroyed sections of this building. Under an arrangement between the Government of Jamaica and the National Commercial Bank, a new courthouse was constructed at Boundbrook, Portland, and this historic structure was converted for use as a bank. In recognition of its outstanding work in the restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the heritage building, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust presented the bank with its Merit Award in October 2009.