Quote Originally Posted by Papa Georgie View Post
I climbed the stairs of that lighthouse for a couple times over years. Each time I found that it was remarkable...indeed shameful, that paper records, from the 1880's were lying about, unprotected, to the seaside elements. These were weather reports that I could see...but maybe much more history there. Shame on the Jamaican Government.
Papa,

Hmmm, I don't remember seeing any records from the 1880's. The Lighthouse was built in 1894, so any records from the 1880's would have been taken up there a decade after they were written. This would probably make them duplicates, not originals.

I have been up there a few dozen times over the last couple decades. Between the Port Authority of Jamaica, Ministry of Transport and Works, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and years of work by caretaker Mr. Johnson, they have kept it in working condition. Since last being renovated in the 1980's, new restoration work is overdue.

On a personal note, books we have from the 1960's are yellowing and becoming fragile to the touch. I cannot fathom paper from the 1880's lasting over 100 years with the rain, sea spray and hurricanes that the lighthouse has seen.

Perhaps you could give us a little more information about when, where and what you saw from the 1880's. I am curious why they would be there in the first place and how it is possible that they lasted so long.