Jamestown history

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Jamestown was founded in 1659, when colonists arrived on the island on behalf of the British East India Company (EIC). This occurred after Oliver Cromwell granted the company a charter to govern Saint Helena in 1657. The first fleet, commanded by Captain John Dutton, arrived in 1659, establishing a settlement in the bay, which was named in honour of the Duke of York, the future King James II of England. The originally erected fort was named the Fort of St. John, but by 1660 it was renamed James Fort, and the settlement and valley became Jamestown and James Valley, respectively.

Key Factors of Establishment

• Geographical Location: Jamestown is situated in James Bay — the most convenient and practically the only natural harbour on the rocky island. Before the opening of the Suez Canal, this made it a strategically vital point for replenishing fresh water and provisions for ships travelling from Europe to Asia around Africa.
• Trade and Political Power: Initially, the city developed as a fortified supply station for the East India Company's merchant ships. The Company governed the island until 1834, when it passed under the direct administration of the British Crown.
• Military Significance: From the very beginning, the settlement was fortified for protection against attacks. In 1673, the city was briefly captured by the Dutch but was soon reclaimed by the English. Later, in the 19th century, Jamestown became an important base for the British Royal Navy, which patrolled the Atlantic to suppress the slave trade.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The architectural appearance of Jamestown was largely formed in the 18th century, during the prosperous period of the East India Company, and still retains expressive features of the Georgian style. Due to its location in a narrow and elongated volcanic valley, the city consists primarily of a single long street. The economy of early Jamestown depended entirely on servicing visiting ships, including port and customs fees. The population was formed of British settlers, company employees, African slaves (until their importation was banned in 1792), and later — workers from China and India.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Jamestown is the history of the entire island of Saint Helena, full of significant events, from a strategic stop on trade routes to the place of Napoleon's exile.

• 1502 — Portuguese navigator João da Nova discovers the uninhabited island and names it in honour of Saint Helena.
• 1659 — The British East India Company establishes a permanent settlement, which receives the name Jamestown in honour of the Duke of York, the future King James II.
• 1673 — The Dutch briefly capture the island, but in the same year, it returns to English control.
• 1774 — Construction is completed on St. James' Church, which is today the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 1815 — Napoleon Bonaparte arrives on Saint Helena as a prisoner and spends the remainder of his life here.
• 1821 — On May 5, Napoleon Bonaparte passes away in his residence at Longwood House.
• 1829 — Construction is completed on the famous "Jacob's Ladder" — a funicular designed to haul cargo from the port to the fort on the hill.
• 1834 — Governance of Saint Helena transfers from the East India Company directly to the British Crown.
• 1869 — The opening of the Suez Canal sharply reduces the strategic importance of Jamestown as a port for restocking on the route to India.
• 1900–1902 — During the Anglo-Boer War, several thousand Boer prisoners were held on the island.
• 1941 — A German submarine torpedoes the British tanker RFA Darkdale off the coast of Jamestown, becoming one of the few World War II events to affect the island.
• 2017 — Saint Helena International Airport opens, linking the island to the world via regular air service for the first time in history and ending centuries of isolation.

Key Stages of Development

The development of Jamestown is inextricably linked with the history of Saint Helena Island. The city has journeyed from a crucial strategic port to an isolated corner that is today rediscovering itself to the world through tourism development.

• Foundation as an Outpost (1659). The city was founded by the British East India Company as a fortified point for supplying merchant vessels travelling from Europe to Asia. This defined its urban structure — a long main street in a narrow valley leading from the port, and military fortifications.
• Formation of Architectural Appearance (18th Century). The prosperous period of the East India Company left Jamestown a rich legacy of Georgian architecture. Many buildings constructed during this time have survived to this day and are the city's calling card. St. James' Church, built in 1774, is the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Construction of "Jacob's Ladder" (1829). This inclined railway of 699 steps was built for the rapid delivery of cargo and ammunition from the port to the fort on the hill. Over time, it lost its original purpose but became the city's main attraction and a symbol of the engineering thought of that time.
• Loss of Strategic Significance (from 1869). The opening of the Suez Canal radically changed maritime routes, and ships ceased to call at Saint Helena as frequently. This led to economic decline as the city lost its main source of income — servicing the fleet.
• The Era of New Zealand Flax (Early 20th Century – 1966). After the decline of shipping, the main sector of the island's economy became the cultivation and processing of New Zealand flax (Phormium) for the production of ropes and cordage. This monoculture supported the island's economy for over half a century until demand for natural fibres fell with the advent of synthetic materials.
• Opening of the Airport and a New Era of Tourism (2017). The opening of Saint Helena International Airport became a turning point in modern history. For the first time in five centuries, the island received regular air connections with the mainland, ending its centuries-old isolation and opening new perspectives for the development of the tourism industry.

The architectural appearance of Jamestown is a unique and well-preserved example of British colonial development, formed under the influence of its isolated position and rich history. The city is often described as "frozen in time," as its development essentially paused after the 19th century.

Urban Development: A City in a Valley

Jamestown's layout is entirely dictated by its geography. The city is located in the narrow and elongated volcanic James Valley, wedged between steep cliffs. This location defined its linear structure: essentially, the city consists of one long main thoroughfare (Main Street) that stretches from the port inland. This simple and functional layout was ideal for a port city, ensuring the easy movement of goods and people from the wharf to warehouses and residences.

Primary Architectural Style: The Georgian Era

Most historical buildings in Jamestown were constructed in the 18th and early 19th centuries, during the prosperous period of the British East India Company. This period in British history is known as the Georgian era, and it is this architectural style that dominates the city. Many experts consider Jamestown one of the world's finest examples of preserved Georgian architecture in its colonial variation. Local buildings are characterised by:

• Symmetry and Proportionality: Building facades often feature a strictly symmetrical composition with a central entrance.
• Local Materials: Buildings are constructed from local volcanic stone and are often painted in bright colours, creating a contrast with the stark surrounding cliffs.
• Classical Elements: Simple yet elegant decorative details characteristic of the Georgian style.

Iconic Buildings and Structures

Several key structures define the city's architectural landscape:

• St. James' Church: Built in 1774, this church is the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere and a vivid example of Georgian religious architecture.
• The Castle: Originally a fort built in 1659 and later reconstructed, today it serves as the island's administrative centre. Its current appearance also reflects Georgian influences.
• "Jacob's Ladder": This is not a building, but an outstanding engineering structure from 1829. The staircase of 699 steps, originally built as a funicular for hoisting cargo, has become the city's trademark and main attraction.
• Buildings on Main Street: An entire ensemble of residential and administrative buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the old Customs House, forms the authentic look of the historic centre.

Modernity and Other Styles

Due to centuries of isolation and economic decline following the opening of the Suez Canal, buildings in modernist or postmodernist styles are practically absent in Jamestown. Instead of new construction, the main focus is directed towards preserving the unique historical heritage. Jamestown is a living open-air museum where architecture tells the story of an entire era.

Notable Figures Associated with Jamestown

Throughout its long history, Saint Helena Island and its capital, Jamestown, have become a temporary home or place of exile for numerous remarkable historical figures. Although not all were permanent residents, their presence left an indelible mark on the city's history.

• John Dutton, 17th century — The first governor of Saint Helena appointed by the British East India Company. In 1659, he founded the first permanent settlement on the island, which became the city of Jamestown, named after the Duke of York.
• Edmond Halley, astronomer, 1656–1742 — The famous English scientist, known for predicting the return of the comet named after him. In 1676–1677, he spent over a year on the island compiling the first catalogue of stars of the Southern Hemisphere. His observatory was located near Jamestown.
• Captain James Cook, navigator, 1728–1779 — One of the greatest explorers in history, he visited Saint Helena and its port, Jamestown, during his circumnavigations. For him, as for many other seafarers, the island was a vital point for replenishing provisions and fresh water.
• Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, 1769–1821 — The most famous prisoner in the island's history. After his defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled to Saint Helena, where he spent the last years of his life from 1815 to 1821. Although he lived at the Longwood House residence, his arrival, custody, and subsequent burial were managed from Jamestown.
• Sir Hudson Lowe, governor, 1769–1844 — The British governor of Saint Helena during Napoleon's exile. He was responsible for guarding and maintaining the deposed emperor, and his strict measures made him a key figure in the history of Bonaparte's final years.
• Charles Darwin, naturalist, 1809–1882 — The famous scientist visited Saint Helena in 1836 during his voyage around the world on the ship HMS Beagle. He studied the unique geology and endemic flora of the island, dedicating part of his works to describing the local nature.
• Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, King of the Zulus, 1868–1913 — Was exiled to Saint Helena by British authorities and spent seven years here (1890–1897). His exile is another example of the island's use as a place of isolation for politically significant figures.
• Piet Cronjé, general, 1836–1911 — One of the commanders of the Boer army during the Second Anglo-Boer War. After his capture in 1900, he, along with several thousand other Boer prisoners, was sent to Saint Helena, where he was held until the end of the war in 1902.