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'Saint Thomas Lowland' is one of 5 Nevis parishes which are in turn part of the 14 administrative parishes which make up the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Contents

Land

Cities and Towns

Economy

History

Future Developments

References

Land

The coast of the parish consists primarily of palm-laden sandy beaches, most notably the 3-mile long Pinney's Beach, often hailed the best in the federation. Behind the sandy coastline are several small lagoons, including the freshwater lagoon of Nelson's Spring, next to the village of Cotton Ground. Many of the island's top hotel developments are located in this area, including the Nevis Four Seasons Resort and Spa. A few imposing hills lie dramatically right on the coast, including the small but steep hill at Cades Point, a weathered remnant of an ancient volcanic core. Further inland, many small villages and homes dot the gently sloping landscape, the largest being Cotton Ground. As one moves further and further East (inland) the land grows steeper and the terrain lusher until the foothills of Nevis Peak are reached. the Nevis Peak summit marks as the Parish's interior land boundary.

Cities and Towns

The parish capital is Cotton Ground. Other villages within the parish are Westbury, Barnes Ghaut and Jessups. There is also a small section of Craddock Road that is part of the parish, even though most of the Craddock Road community is in St. Paul's Parish.
'Capital' - Cotton Ground
'Other Villages':

★ Barnes Ghaut

★ Jessups

★ Stuarts

★ Westbury
The southern end of the parish embraces the northern fringe of Charlestown, including the Community Center (which was previously the cinema), the ruins of the Rest Haven Hotel (heavily damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989), and the pink-painted Pinney's Beach Hotel at the southern end of Pinney's Beach.

Economy

Saint Thomas Lowland parish is often credited as the heart of the Nevis economy. The island's main sector is tourism, and the parish is home to the island's largest hotel, the Four Seasons Resort, which is the largest single employer on the island after the government (but strongly rivalling). The resort has won many international awards. The parish is also home to the Four Seasons golf course, the premier golf course on the island and in the federation, often copping prizes as being the best in the Caribbean. Other hotel developments are also located here including the Oalie Beach Hotel.

History

Saint Thomas was the first established Parish on Nevis, and was home to the first British settlement, Jamestown. Legend has it that Jamestown was lost in a tidal wave in the late 1680s, but there is no archological evidence that would support that story. In any case the first settlement was abandoned, but St. Thomas' Church, on higher ground, remains.

Future Developments

The parish of Saint Thomas Lowland is the premier development area in Nevis at present, with large hotel and golf course construction in progress, the priciest such development in the federation.

References

ORDNANCE SURVEY, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1984, Nevis, with part of St. Christopher (Saint Kitts). Series E803 (D.O.S. 343), Sheet NEVIS, Edition 5 O.S.D. 1984. Reprinted in 1995, published by the Government of the United Kingdom (Ordnance Survey) for the Government of Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis.
ROBINSON, DAVID & JENNIFER LOWERY (Editors), 2000. The natural history of the island of Nevis. Nevis Historical and Conservation Society Press, Ithaca, New York.
HUBBARD, VINCENT K., 2002. Swords, ships, and sugar: a history of Nevis, Premiere Editions, Corvallis, Oregon. 5th Edition.