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History
Of The Jamaica Postal Service
During
the reign of King Charles II, the Governor of Jamaica was
instructed to make arrangements for the establishment of
a post office in Jamaica. This was because of complaints
from early settlers concerning the slow delivery of mail.
As
a result in October 31, 1671, Jamaica became the first British
colony to have established a Post Office. The post office
was established in the then capital, St. Jago De La Vega,
or Spanish Town as it is now known.
With
sugar exports fuelling economic growth in the mid 18th Century,
Edward Dismore was appointed the first Postmaster General
of Jamaica in 1754 as the need for a more reliable postal
service became apparent. Mr. Dismore then proceeded to establish
a network of Post Offices throughout the island, many of
which remain as major post offices today.
In
1776, the main Post Office was moved from Spanish Town to
Harbour Street in Kingston. The Jamaican postal service operated
as a sub branch of the British Post Office until 1860, when
it achieved full managerial and operational autonomy. In
addition, distinctive Jamaican postage stamps were introduced
for the first time in 1860, to replace British stamps which
were in circulation until then.
Following
the 1907 earthquake, the main post office was again moved,
this time to the General Post Office on King Street in downtown
Kingston. However, these premises soon proved inadequate
given increased mail flows
and plans were drawn up to construct a new head office building
including an automated central sorting office. Work on this
new building started in the mid 1970's and was completed
and the sorting facility fully commissioned in 1980.
Significant
dates in Jamaica's Postal History
|
1671 |
The
first Jamaican Post Office established in Spanish Town
under King Charles II. |
| 1746 |
The 'Jamaica' straight
line handstamp appears on letters showing their point
of origin |
| 1754 |
Edward
Dismore appointed Postmaster General of Jamaica. |
| 1776 |
The
Post Office relocated from Spanish Town to Kingston. |
| 1801 |
The "Ship
Letter" handstamp appears on letters so that correct
postage rates could be collected. |
| 1860 |
Jamaican
stamps replace British stamps. |
| 1877 |
Official
postcards from Britain are introduced in Jamaica. |
| 1900 |
Jamaica's
first pictorial stamp showing Llandovery Falls appears. |
| 1907 |
The
main Post Office on Harbour Street in Kingston was damaged
by an earthquake and later moved to King Street. |
| 1960 |
The
Post Office's administrative headquarters established
on South Camp Road. |
| 1980 |
Central
Sorting Office constructed |
| 1995 |
The
Postal Corporation of Jamaica Limited (PostCorp) is registered. |
| 2000 |
PostCorp
begins operations. |
PROFILES
Honorable Minister Daryl Vaz
Mr. Brian A L Goldson
Mr. Michael Gentles
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