Argyle, is rich in history and also very much a part of our cultural heritage with our Indian heritage being particularly linked to this area. Before the 1970's few people lived in Argyle, as it was mostly a large agricultural estate. Many crops were grown at Argyle including sugar cane, arrowroot and tobacco, but it has perhaps been best known for ‘ground nuts’. Coconuts, sea grapes and fat pork also grew in abundance and many people went especially to pick sea grapes.
After the rebuilding of the Catholic Church at Argyle in the 1920’s, they placed a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary at the site of the ‘Argyle rock face’ petro glyphs; and every year, prior to Lent, a pilgrimage was held there. The petro glyphs generated much interest in archaeology and Dr Earl Kirby often took groups of people to Argyle to search for pottery or artefacts. Several ‘digs’ have taken place there that led to findings such as post holes from the site of a Cayo village and a burial site as well as other petro glyphs.
In the 1950’s and 60’s the primary schools from Stubbs and Biabou, then later from Calder and Argyle, held their sports at an area known as ‘Corner Rock’- a flat area close to the sea off the old main road. Interschool sports were held at the pasture at Rawacou and Mesopotamia and Brighton schools participated as well. Also in the 50’s and 60’s, during Nine Mornings a steel band from Stubbs would go to Argyle and back and people would join them along the way.
The Argyle River was central to many activities. At one time the people from neighbouring communities would go to the river to get water and to wash clothes. The river was also a popular site for ‘cooks’ and picnics- both in the daytime and ‘at moonlight’; and on Sundays many people used to go to wash their vehicles there. Fishing and catching crayfish were popular activities and the Argyle River was and still is one of the main areas in St Vincent for catching tri tri.
The Discovery Day holiday, which used to be celebrated on 22nd January in St Vincent, was a big event at Argyle: people gathered from all over the island. There would be a “blocko” and large speakers along the side of the road would blast the popular calypso and soca music of the day. At ‘Corner Rock’ there was a stage set up for a variety of performances. Cars and buses would park all along the sides of the road, food and drinks would be on sale, families would come out and people would ‘lime’ throughout the day and into the night.
At Easter kite flying was the main past time at Argyle. People would fly kites in the area around ‘Corner Rock’- it used to be an informal, unorganised activity; but in the 1990’s it was organised and sponsored as a competition by a local business.
Moonlight walks at Argyle were also popular and the area was well known as a “park out” spot perhaps because of the darkness and isolation. This may be why there were ‘sightings’ of “Jablesse” and “Rounce”; manifestations from our Caribbean folk lore. Stories were told that scared people, especially children, however there are rarely any reports of ‘sightings’ nowadays.
As the site of The International Airport, Argyle continues to be a significant part of our cultural heritage.
Prepared by National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines.