A traditionally-looking building, part of a restoration project at the old courthouse site at Crocus Hill, is taking shape at roof level. It is an effort to preserve the cultural history of the area as one of the main tourism attractions on the island.
The project involves the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society and the Restorer, Mr. Michael Taylor, the Ministry and Department and Culture, and Mr. Audley Carty, one of Anguilla’s renowned contractors.
The new structure is being built on the top of the ruins of the Old Court house which also housed the General Post Office at a time when the Upper Valley was the centre of business in Anguilla. The project was approved by the Executive Council at its January 16, 2020 meeting.
The Council accepted Mr. Taylor’s offer to restore the iconic old courthouse building; make direct payments to suppliers of building materials; appoint Mr. Carty to be the contractor; agreed to duty-free concessions for the project. The Executive Council agreed for the new building to be converted into a national building in the future with the creation of a national museum development policy.
Mr. Taylor is an American naational residing in Anguilla. Responding to the Executive Council, he stated: “It is my pleasure to contribute to Anguilla. This island means so much to me and my family. Your island has provided for us a wonderful life, and we just want to be good citizens of Anguilla and contribute as best we can.”
The Anguilla Historical and Archaeological Society issued a statement which read in part: “The old court house is the only remaining 18th century Government building on the island. Records of the [then] Executive Council meetings in 1819 indicate that it was used as the seat of the Council since the early 1700s. Up until 1955, when it was destroyed by Hurricane Alice, it was the main administration building on the island housing the Courthouse, Treasury, Post Office and Prison.”
The statement continued: “A separate building on the site housed the Police Station. Since its destruction, the remaining structure has continued to deteriorate with no real effort to have it restored. Its only occupation was that after Hurricane Donna it was used as a makeshift shelter for persons who had lost their homes.”
Mr. Audley Carty, the contractor of the new building, is being assisted by a work crew from The Valley area.
Crocus Hill is also the site of a modern communications tower connecting a number of Government departments; Radio Anguilla’s broadcasting tower and regulated equipment; a Cable & Wireless tower; and two 500,000-gallon reservoirs, the property of the Government of Anguilla and the Water Corporation. A National Trust building is also earmarked for the site.
