Laborie Explained

Official Name:Laborie
Mapsize:250px
Coordinates:13.7515°N -60.9951°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Saint Lucia
Subdivision Type1:District
Subdivision Name1:Laborie District
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:18th Century
Established Title1:Original name
Established Date1:l'Islet a Caret
Founder:The French
Named For:Barron Jean Zénon André de Véron de Laborie, governor of Saint Lucia 17841789
Leader Title:Governing body
Leader Name:Laborie Village Council
Elevation M:20
Population Total:1131
Population As Of:2010
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Population Blank1 Title:Estimate 2004
Population Footnotes:[1]
Timezone1:Eastern Caribbean Time Zone (ECT)
Utc Offset1:-4
Area Code:758

Laborie is a village on the south coast of Saint Lucia. It was originally called l'Islet a Caret after the Loggerhead sea turtles that were found in the area. The name Laborie is named after Baron de Laborie who was the French governor of Saint Lucia from 1784–1789. At that time the village had a population of 712. Laborie is the seat of the Laborie District.[2] [3]

History

The French introduced large estates to the island and after the British took control of the island in 1814, many French landowners remained on their estates.

In 1838 the first school was opened. Known as the "Mico School" because it was opened and operated by the Lady Mico Trust, it had 80 pupils and lasted until 1891. By this time a Catholic school had opened in the village.[4]

In 1907, the 18th Century church was replaced by a larger church which opened in 1914.

During World War II, American forces opened a radar station on the hill of Morne le Blanc to help protect the airfield that is now Hewanorra International Airport. The remnants are still visible today.

The Creole heritage is still visible today, both in the local culture and in the Saint Lucian Creole French language that is still widely spoken.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics Office. Government of Saint Lucia.
  2. Web site: Laborie. GeoNames. August 25, 2021.
  3. Web site: Laborie. I Love Laborie.
  4. Web site: Laborie Shines Brightly. Saint Lucia. August 25, 2021.