The Story Behind the Lucea Clock Tower

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

If an order was delivered to you in error, would you keep it?

Lucea Clock Tower with distinctive looking helmet
Lucea Clock Tower, Hanover Jamaica

That was the question the residents of Hanover had to answer when they received this clock instead of the one they ordered. The mistake wasn’t theirs of course. It seems that the captain of the ship that was taking the clock they received, a gift from Germany to the people of the island of St. Lucia, got confused and delivered it to Lucea instead of St. Lucia.

It was an honest mistake on the captain’s part. Lucea, the capital of the parish of Hanover, had been known at various times as Sant Lucea, St. Lucia, and St. Lucea. I’m not sure what it was being called then but I can easily see how the captain could’ve become confused, especially since Jamaica was probably better known than St. Lucia.

Unfortunately, for the St. Lucians, the people of Lucea fell in love with the clock, which was designed to resemble the helmet worn by the German Royal Guard, and decided to keep it — the one they had ordered was more modest — and took up a collection to pay for the difference in cost. A German landowner paid for the tower and the clock was installed in 1817. It is an eye catching landmark that seems has been watching over the town of Lucea for almost 200 years.

No word on what the St. Lucians thought of the Hanoverians’ highjacking of their clock or if theirs still stands.

While most towns in Jamaica still have their clock tower, none has as fascinating a history as the one in Lucea.

This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, which is organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to head over and check out more photos from locations around the world.

This week, I’m also linking up with the Friday Daydreaming series organized by Becca at Rwethereyetmom. Hope to see you there!

 

54 comments on “The Story Behind the Lucea Clock Tower”

  12. Thanks for your comment at One Man’s Wonder! I’m glad it’s prompted me to drop in and see your beautiful blog.
    I’ve got to get to Jamaica; so many fascinating stories like this one. God willing… BTW, I have been to St. Lucia and found it wonderful.
    Keep up the good work, my friend! I look forward to following.

  15. Such an interesting story and what a great looking clock. I can totally see a helmet. I guess Jamaica was meant to have this clock 🙂

  22. Fascinating story of the watch!! And it is beautiful, no wonder the people fell in love with it! Thanks for this post Marcia 🙂

  24. Hi Marcia;

    Thanks for the Lucea Clock trivia and the walk through Peppermint memories. Always refreshing to read your blog.

    Have a treasure-filled day, today and always!
    Klassi K

  28. OK, I’ll be the guy with no tact who says that I don’t actually like the look of the tower. It does represent a German helmet very well…that’s just not the look I’d want on my clock tower. I do however, absolutely love the story of how Lucea ended up with the clock. That easily trumps any aesthetic concerns I might have with the tower.

  30. You’re right, Debbie. The names are used over and over so it can get a bit confusing.
    Maybe the clock ended up in the right place after all, eh?

  31. Hahaha, taste is personal, Steve. Thing is, back then, Lucea had a sizable German population so I’m sure it appealed to them.
    It’s a great story though, isn’t it?

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