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Trafalgar Road forms a T-junction with Knutsford Boulevard,
and then swings east toward Hope Road. Opposite the junction
of Trafalgar and Hope Road is the immaculate Devon House,
26 Hope Rd (Tues-Sat 9.30am-5pm, tours run throughout the
day, last tour at 4.30pm; J$200 including guided tour) -
still the grandest house in the city.
Devon House was built in 1881 by Jamaica's first black
millionaire, building contractor George Stiebel. Born in
Kingston in 1820, Stiebel made his fortune gold-mining in
Venezuela, returning home in 1873 to snap up properties
throughout Jamaica.
Among these was Devon Pen, where he built the house that was
his Kingston home until he died in 1896. Bought by the
Jamaican government in 1967, it has gradually been furnished
with West Indian and European antiques as well as more
modern Jamaican reproductions
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It makes for a diverting hour's exploration,
in spite of the enforced tour, which can be rushed and
monosyllabic - don't be afraid to take your time.
The landscaped grounds make a fine place for a leisurely
stroll. The former stables now house a handful of expensive
gift-shops, but chief attractions are the shop selling
heavenly homemade “I Scream ", and the Brick Oven
bakery, which sells excellent gooey cakes and some of
Kingston's best patties. There are also a couple of great
restaurants here, detailed in "Eating".
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Jamaica
Travel Guide
Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril, Blue Mountains, Portland
Caribbean Travel Guide
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