Accompong

About Accompong

Accompong is the mountaintop historic home of the Leeward Maroons. The term "Maroon" is believed derived from the Spanish word "cimmaroon" referring to "Wild and Feral" as the Maroons struck fear into the hearts of the English landholders. Under the leadership of an ex-African Warrior Chief (Kojo or Cudjoe), freed slaves from the Spanish settlements who were set free when the Spanish inhabitants of Jamaica fled to Cuba before the English invasion joined in number with the escaped English plantation slaves and became a formidable foe in battle.

Places to See

Appleton Rum Factory Tour

The Appleton Estate, located in the Nassau Valley, takes you a bit off the main road A2 between Black River and Santa Cruz. You turn off the A2 at Lacovia the landmark two white tombs. The turns are well marked. The scenic journey takes you past the sleepy town of Maggotty and into the sprawling 11,400-acre estate, the oldest sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica. While you wait for your tour to begin, there is a multimedia information pack available about Appleton, and cocktails may be purchased at the bar. The guided tour provides a comprehensive overview of the distillery process and historical account of the Estate. Appleton estate dates back to 1655 when the Spaniards lost possession of the island to the English. Two of the earliest known owners were the grandsons of Frances Dickinson, who took part in the conquest of Jamaica, and as reward, it is believed, Appleton estate was part of the land grant received for services rendered. Recorded documentation of rum production dates to 1749.

Highlights of the tour include a demonstration of the traditional squeezing of sugar cane with the assistance of a donkey and the sampling opportunities of freshly squeezed 100% natural sugarcane juice, as well as wet sugar (molasses). The harmlessly intoxicating rum aroma pervades the air in the ageing house as one gets information about the usage of imported charred American oak wood barrels for the storage of rum. Charring on the inside of the barrel is necessary to extract sugar and flavonoid and produces toasted almond notes in the rum. The grand finale of the walking tour is the eye-popping sampling of the wide range of Appleton estate rums. It is at this point that one also becomes aware of the number of brands owned and produced under its license. There is also a gift shop with an abundance of Appleton Estate Rums and souvenirs. For persons traveling long distance, the tour package can include a Jamaican lunch served amidst artistic displays and models of the factory layout along the walls.

Apple Valley Park

Started in December, 1990, Apple Valley is a privately owned attraction on the Caribbean island of Jamaica.. The area along the banks of the Black River, was originally swamp land and cow pastures that was excavated and fishing ponds put in just to control the mosquito situation. People came by to fish and the potential for growth was realized. An interesting remnant of the original landscape is located towards the back of the park by the games area, what we call the "Lilly Pond". Apple Valley got its name firstly from its geographic location between hills and mountains. A valley is a low area between mountains that is cut by rivers. Secondly within the Maggotty Valley, on this property, there are 4 varieties of Apples, the othaheite, rose, pine and star apple, hence the name Apple Valley. Find out more at the Apple Valley Park website

Historical Accompong Village

Often referred to as the most unusual attraction in Jamaica, Accompong Town can easily transport one back in time to the days of English occupation of the island and the isolation they tried to impose on these proud people. The people are called "Maroons" and in 1738 the outcome of the Maroon Wars with the British ended in a Peace Treaty granting them land and self-rule which they still practice to this day. Although fierce fighters, these people are open and friendly to tourists. Find out more at the Accompong Town Website, or by emailing accompong@netzero.net

Wondrous Cave

Located in an area near the town of Elderslie called Cooks Bottom, the Accompong group called ORIGINAL TRAILS OF THE MAROONS offers the best package tour of this cave. The tour takes about 4 hours and is "moderate" in difficulty. You begin the hike from Accompong Town and hike to another historic Maroon village and landmark, Cooks Bottom. During the war with the British, Maroons used Cooks Bottom as a half-way point between Accompong Town and Maroon Town in St. James. In Cooks Bottom, you will tour the famous Wondrous Cave - characterized by plentiful rock formations, large rooms, numerous underground pools and a thriving bat population - and eat an authentic Jamaican meal prepared by the friendly Maroons of Cooks Bottom. If you don't have time for a full tour, you may arrange to be picked up in Cooks Bottom, which is accessible by car.

Bamboo Avenue

Often called "Holland Bamboo" is a four-kilometer-long attraction established by the owners of Holland Estate and dates back to the 19th century. Once a popular tourist attraction, the avenue has in recent years lost some of its appeal and much of its luxuriant foliage as a result of man-made and natural disasters. This all being said, it is still a nice place to stop for a cold jelly coconut or some of the sweetest sugar cane cuttings in Jamaica. Some interesting souvenirs and various fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the little stands that dot the avenue.