Mount Plenty Great House, located in St. Ann, Jamaica, stands as a testament to the island’s colonial and equestrian heritage. The property was once home to the Honourable John Hiatt, Custos of St. Ann, who was born in 1722 and lived to the remarkable age of 98, leaving behind a rich legacy. Over the years, the estate passed through several prominent owners, including St. Thomas Roxborough and later Pat and Bernard Cooke, who modernized the house with renovations such as a carport. In 1980, the Hon. Maurice William Facey acquired the property, preserving its historical significance while maintaining its agricultural traditions.
The Great House is an architectural gem, featuring three stories with a distinctive combination of cut stone and wood. Its stone basement elevates the structure, while the main level showcases wood shingles, sash windows, and louver panels. The cedar-shingled hip roof, punctuated with dormer windows, adds charm to the attic space. The pedimented portico on the western side serves as a formal entrance, differing from the typical wraparound verandahs of other Jamaican Great Houses, hinting at its Georgian-era influences. Known for its exceptional thoroughbred horses and Arabian-cross polo ponies, Mount Plenty also thrives as a center for beef cattle rearing and tropical flower cultivation for export, blending its historical roots with modern agricultural pursuits. Today, this private property symbolizes both Jamaica’s colonial past and its enduring contributions to farming and equestrian excellence.