Thank you for some of the earlier responses and a few who were in Negril in the early 70's can remember the absolute beauty and serenity that was. Back then you could sleep on the beach or camp for about $1.50 a night and feel completely safe; when we stayed in Red Ground we paid $3 a night and for an extra 50 cents were treated to a great home cooked breakfast but it was the warmth of the locals that truly ignited my love affair. I did finally recall the 3rd hotel on the beach, Sundowner, now long gone as are the other two. The last to be taken down was just a few years ago and that was T-Water and I must say I was saddened to see it in rubble as in my mind that ended a wonderful chapter in Negril's history.
Now I suspect you appreciate some of the photos more than my ramblings so I'll flash forward to just a couple of years ago, I was at Cosmo's and having a great "remember the old days" conversation with Mr. Brown and I showed him a few of my pics and when he saw one, he asked if I knew Mr. Reynolds, I replied that I did not. He explained to me that the picture I had thought simply captured a day in the life so to speak was actually a section of the beach called Fishermen Beach and Mr. Reynolds owned that property as had his father before him and he refused to allow it to be eaten up by development. Cosmo then to me to a table in the corner and introduced me to Mr. Reynolds. I realize as I've tracked down those who are originally from Negril that back then they were just enjoying life and trying to keep their family's fed and never stopped to "capture the moment".
Fisherman Beach, 1971
The west end was in a sense nonexistent in that there was almost nothing along the cliffs, after you passed the Bookmobile stop I posted earlier there was very little, Rick's wasn't even there at this time and there were no streetlights on the road and a car would pass by every hour or so at most. I've ssn posts and comments regarding the one business that we frequented and most were not that flattering but I can recall walking up the road in the pitch darkness to have dinner at the Negril Yacht Club. The trek would get interesting if it was a bit cloudy at night because you could literally not see where you were going and in our own cloudy state of mind we more than a few times walked right off the road but once there the peace and quiet on that patio was something that I'll carry forever, nothing but a few tunes coming from the kitchen and the waves breaking along the edge. I recall there was also a huge cage of beautiful birds but in the darkness my camera failed to capture these.
Not a great picture, but this was the cage.
Dining area was never very busy but I could sit for hours.
I couldn't even find a T-shirt to bring home with me until my 2nd or 3rd trip, there were a few vendors who wandered the beach but no real craft market, there was one small shop selling baked goods and tea just as the road turned near the roundabout and that was the very early home of Miss Brown. Just in back of her shop there was always a vigorous game of dominoes that I would sit and watch endlessly amazed at the passion with which that game was played. On I believe one or two days a week there would be a gathering of crafts people who would lay out blankets and sell their wares, sorry but I shudder when I look at that spot now since currently it's Burger King.
Before BK
I've got about one more post left but will end for now, Respect.
Originally Posted by JaHowards
