Speightstown

Parish

The town of Speightstown in the Parish of Saint Peter is the second largest city of the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. The place is located on the west coast of the island and is about 19 km north of the capital Bridgetown and about 25 km north-east from the Grantley Adams International Airport. Speightstown today has 2,192 inhabitants.

History

The city was founded in 1630 by the British. The city's name is attributed to William Speight an early settler and former land owners of present-day urban area. In the 17th century the port of Speightstown had a special meaning, it regularly frequented merchant ships, laden with sugar and other goods to London and Bristol in England. During this time, Speightstown was also called Little Bristol.

Traffic

Speightstown is connected via the coast road Highway 1B 1, with the capital city of Bridgetown, the length of this route is about 20 km. From Speightstown Terminal Buses run regularly to all parts of the island of Barbados. The fare is 2.00 BBD for all routes.

Others

The French- American actress Claudette Colbert spent her final years in Speightstown, where she also died on 30 July 1996.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Oliver Skeete ( born 1956 ), artist and actor

Twinning

On 21 January 2003 a partnership with Speightstown was in the town of Reading, Berkshire, in the UK officially decided.