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Nestling
on the Slopes of Naparima Hill, among the suburban
development of the modern town is the old "Carib" house, one link
with the past. It gazes haughtily down at the approaching town with
an air of lost grandeur, and even in its state one can see faint resemblances
of past glory, of the beauty of the ages gone.
Although
often described as the "Carib House" , the style of architecture dates
back to Spanish times and the romantic ideologies of the ages are reflected
in vague traces of the parts of the building that have not surrendered
to the age or to the termites. There are, for instance, the delicate, hand-carved
windows, the remains of a loving craftsmanship. There is the staircase
at the back of the building, elegantly carved and patterned, though now
overcome by age and moss. But modern times have caught up with it. For
as the eyes travel across the building, imaging what the framed windows
must have once been, the beauty and peace is shattering by the sight of
rectangular steel windows, practical, but modern, replacing the wooden
frames.
Known
by all to be the oldest house in San Fernando. There are those who date
back its construction to 1832, by one Samuel Edwards a stone mason of Barbados.
It is said that it was the home of the Cadres family, among whom we would
find a member of the first Council of San Fernando in 1846. Others simply
say that it is as old as the town of San Fernando itself, which makes it
over one hundred and twenty-five years old.
Familiarly
known as the "Carib" House although its structure bears the hallmark of
Spanish style architecture. Captivated by the regal character of this San
Fernando landmark, Michael Gittens felt compelled to reproduce it on canvas.
His first work done of the Old Carib House in 1974 can be seen at the museum
in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Still inspired by the legacy of our past, standing
gloriously, though old and weather beaten, Gittens, in 1980 did this second
work of the house in its original form. This painting, now owned by Mr.
A.J. Bhagan, is of the house reflecting the wealth of our history carved
into its graceful majesty. It represents one of the few remaining vestiges
of our past, nestled on Carib Street among the houses of our era on the
slopes of the san Fernando Hill.
Source:
San Fernando: "An
Historic Mile"
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