Gonzales has historical roots in ex-slavery times. After emancipation in 1834, many freed slaves refused to accept apprenticeship or the proposed six years of continued labour on the sugar plantations and vowed never to return. Instead the freed and run-away slaves refused to continue in the system of dehumanisation and degradation associated with slavery and so many settled on the outskirts of Port-of-Spain in communities such as Gonzales. The slaves in these areas developed an antagonistic relationship with the colonial capital city and an anti-Port of Spain lifestyle was fostered within these communities. The dependence on the informal job trade was developed as many people established themselves as skilled artisans and craftsmen. They became the driving social force that led the process of diversifying the economic base away from the predominant sugar-based economy.
Gonzales demonstrates typical characteristics of communities that were established prior to any formal planning processes in Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years this organic nature along with other social and economic constructs has led to existing deteriorating physical conditions in the area, such as poor housing stock, inadequate roads and a lack of open space.
The Port of Spain Corporation on April 1st, 1920 was officially given the option to purchase Gonzales Place from Mrs. Octavia Gonzales, a Caucasian of British decent. At the time, Gonzales extended from the eastern end of Hermitage road, covering the breadth of the crater like basin up to the quarry on the eastern hills of the area. Although Government’s proposal was initially refused, the land was eventually sold to City Council at TT $15000. Due to strong pressure from residents, by June 1st, 1937 workers homes were constructed and officially opened for occupation. Following this development, roads and other infrastructure were constructed.
Due to the fact that there was initially no plan for Gonzales, Hermitage Road was the only street constructed in the entire area until 19 years after the sale to government. Hermitage Road could have been called a first class street with Caucasian occupants living in prestigious homes. Caucasians occupied these homes until the 1960’s when the architecture began to change alongside with the out migration of the elite class as the black community began to increase significantly.
Even before the 1960’s, in the early 1940’s Gonzales was slowly becoming overcrowded with deteriorating living conditions that threatened its prestige. As a result, a housing project by government was started south of the now St. Martin’s RC Church. It was seen as the relocation of the slums to Gonzales Place. This relocation was merely a provision of land and the erection of two small tenement homes by Government. After this no more interest was paid in the development of the area, which then fuelled the creation of an immediate social tension between the new and existing residents. This social tension has remained to this day as East Port of Spain.
Like many other communities in East Port of Spain, Gonzales has made an indelible contribution to the development of culture in Trinidad & Tobago. The community of Gonzales has been accredited with producing the first music band that beat metal cans (steel pans) during carnival celebrations. There is strong evidence that the first pan sound emerged in 1937 when the Gonzales Tamboo Bamboo Band hit the road during Carnival with a bass can. The tune played on the pans was, "River Vine Cavali" and the man accredited with developing the instrument on which the tune was played " the "ping-pong" as it became known in later years " was Gonzales resident Fred Corbin (Goddard, 1991).
The communities in East Port of Spain are infamous for their contribution to the development of art and culture; having been the birthplace and home of people such as Winston 'Spree' Simon, pan pioneer. Many aspects of the culture of Trinidad & Tobago and Carnival celebrations have found its origins in the social history of the Gonzales community and this is still the case today.
Here is a brief synopsis of Gonzales today:
¹ Goddard, (1991)
² For a more in-depth view of the history of Gonzales, see Gonzales Community Profile done in January 2005.