Ville de Jérémie, or Downtown Jérémie, is an urban city center, based around the Central Business District of Jérémie, Grand'Anse, Haiti.
A street in Downtown Jérémie
Section map of Downtown Jérémie, Haiti
Neighboring sections
Upper West  1re Désormeau, BON |
〰️North〰️ Windward Passage |
|
|---|---|---|
| West 5e Fond Rouge Dahere |
Downtown Jérémie |
〰️East〰️ Caribbean Sea |
South   1re Marfranc, MAF |
About[]
The first settlement of this city was established between the Voldrogue and Grande-Riviere rivers, which is still referred to as Vieux-Bourg. The present city was planned in 1756, but it suffered significant damage from hurricanes in 1772, 1775, and 1781. Prior to its current name, it was called Trou Jeremie, named after a fisherman who resided there. It is located at the fall of a mountain, covered with villas in a pleasant position due to its elevation, facing the island of Cayemite. Its appearance is 40 leagues from Jamaica, in a position to expand considerably, at the opening of the Panama Canal, grandiose and picturesque. Beautiful town and country houses. Behind her stands like a rampart a hill topped by two blockhouses built by Salnave, and restored by Salomon in 1883, and by Fort Thelemaque, on which she leans her head, while her feet dip in the sea. The air is there pure and healthy, and the temperature very mild. There falls 2436 millimeters of rain per year. Jeremie is denoted in Upper and Besse town: the first has the shape of a rectangle, the North side of which is called "Cote de Fer" and the South side the "Pointe", and the Lower town, all commercial, follows the shape of the Cove where the port is located.
The city boasts beautiful residences and countryside houses. Serving as a protective barrier, a hill crowned with two blockhouses, originally constructed by Salnave and later restored by Salomon in 1883, stands behind it. Additionally, Fort Thelemaque provides further support as it looms above, while the town's feet touch the sea. The air in this area is pure and healthy, and the temperature remains pleasantly mild. The annual rainfall measures 2436 millimeters (96 inches). The Upper town is rectangular, with its northern side known as "Cote de Fer" and the southern side as the "Pointe". The Lower town, which is mainly centered around commerce, follows the shape of the Cove where the port is located.
The bay is very stormy and stretches from Pointe de Jeremie to Grande Anse. The port, which has been open to foreign trade since 1807, does not provide any protection from the strong northern winds that dominate the coasts of Grande Anse for a significant part of the year. The prevailing winds during the day come from the north-northeast, while during the night they come from the south and southeast. In addition to the strong winds, ships also face frequent tidal waves during the winter, which pose a great danger and can destroy and strand them. As a result, steamers have to constantly remain on high alert to avoid being caught off guard by these tidal waves. Sailboats rush to unload and load their cargo quickly in order to depart as soon as possible. The harbor is bordered on the northeast by a series of reefs where the current forms a complex system of foaming whirlpools. The dock, which is quite tall, is always well maintained.
The women of Jeremie have the reputation of being the prettiest on the Island. Many are.
During the months of September to February, a mist emerges from the river in the early morning, lingering in the air for hours before gradually dissipating into the celestial realms where it will eventually condense. During these moments, the harbor and its maritime activities become indistinct and hazy. Undoubtedly, it is this gentle dew that, more effectively than any cosmetic, maintains the youthful radiance of the lovely Jeremiennes. Adjacent to the parade ground stands a fountain and the altar of the Fatherland, sheltered by the Palm Tree of Liberty, alongside the public offices and the Church.
The countryside attracts a large number of visitors, with popular destinations including Bordes, la Digue, la Passe, Buvette, Kanon, and more.
In a poem entitled My city, the poet Timothee Paret sings the beauties of Jérémie in superb stanzas.
Two torches can be observed on the parade ground, near the altar of the Fatherland. One is that of Blanchet Jeune, during his lifetime President of a Constituent Assembly; the second, that of Mr. Honoré Féry who was commander of the place.
History[]
Main article: History of Jérémie
• The Favaranges Habitation was a coffee plantation situated in the city of Jérémie. Its owner, a royalist white colonist, presided over the 1792 Colonial Assembly. He was one of those who delivered Grand'Anse to the English in 1793.
• The site of Fort Télémaque is located on a high hill behind the lower town of Jérémie, on the Bac Road; it was named after General Télémaque. During the massacre of the French in Au Cap in 1804, Dessalines summoned to the government palace the old César Télémaque, former mayor of the Cape, under Toussaint Louverture, who had always shown himself to be devoted to the French. He said to him, "You, who did not want the fire in Au Cap when Leclerc arrived, why didn't you follow the French? So you are recognized that they are leaders!" Télémaque, trembling, did not answer. Dessalines called a white man and ordered Télémaque to hang him to give him a testimony of his dedication to the cause of independence. Télémaque, after having passed the rope around the neck of the Frenchman, to feel himself failing at the moment of the execution. He declared almost unconsciously that he would rather perish than commit a crime. Dessalines, appearing to take pity on him, drove him from his presence while ordering to do him no harm. He delivered the white to the soldiers of the 4th who sacrificed him. Telemaque was a member of the Emperor's Privy Council in 1805.
• In 1810, Goman had its main establishment at the Grand-Doco habitation during its insurrection in La Grand'Anse. This habitation, located 13 leagues from Jérémie, was part of a large village surrounded by beautiful plantations. Six regiments spent a month to destroy these plantations and houses, and to drive out the insurgents in all directions. These, distraught, weary of fleeing continuously, went to the authorities of Jérémie where the mercy of the government was reserved for them.
• In 1868, President Salnave bombarded Jérémie for three days. He concentrated his fires all day long on Fort Telemaque, which was dismantled. The batteries of the besieged city, no longer responding to his blows, the fierce President believed it entirely reduced, when, to his most terrible amazement, a merry band sang the most even meringues of the time on the still smoking walls of Fort Telemaque. Then, stamping his foot on the Galathée bridge, and nervously taking his head in his hands, Salnave exclaimed angrily: "Decidedly, there is nothing more to do with these devils! Let's go to Les Cayes!" The commander of Fort Telemaque was Mr. Calisthènes Fouchard.
La Pointe[]
An ancient fort situated on a point of land that juts out into the sea to the right upon entering the harbor of Jérémie, increasingly eroded by the northern winds each day. This elevation serves as a protective barrier for the small harbor where the coaster boats are moored. Its geographical coordinates are 18.645897, -74.109777. It is at this location that criminals and those sentenced by the authorities of Jérémie have faced execution.
- In 1792, freedmen who revolted in pursuit of their political rights were brutally massacred, with their severed heads displayed on long pikes at Fort La Pointe.
- In 1800, following Rigaud's departure, Dessalines arrived in Jérémie. Each afternoon, he convened a significant number of individuals on the beach at La Pointe, who had been identified as supporters of Rigaud by the colonists. After a single gunshot, those who remained unscathed or only slightly wounded were executed with bayonets. • During the revolution of 1843, an armed schooner laden with supplies, arriving from Les Cayes, anchored in the harbor of Jérémie on February 25, mistakenly believing the town was under government control. Realizing her error, she attempted to depart; however, Fort La Pointe fired several cannonballs and grapeshot, injuring Captain Samedi, who subsequently succumbed to his wounds.
- In May 1870, following the success of the Caco revolution, Delgrâce Jacquet and Siffra, two leaders of the Piquets who had fought valiantly in the South to protect 9President Salnave, were executed at La Pointe.
- "As twilight descends, painting the gray landscape with a charming hue, I find pleasure in strolling along the Point, inhaling the fresh and gentle breeze." -Oswald Durand