Queenstown

An historic building in the village

Story and photos by Kenesha Fraser

Following emancipation, some white planters made quick money by selling the front lands of their estates to African labourers. On the Essequibo Coast, a thriving village of Africans developed and was named Queenstown in honour of Queen Victoria.

When Sunday Stabroek visited the area, we caught up with John Paul, caretaker of a church in the village. “I don’t really know much about this village,” he said, “because I didn’t live here for long, but the time I was here it was very good.”

The village of Queenstown, situated between Little Alliance and La Union is considered to be the largest community on the