Laborie Quarter

Laborie is a Quarter – an administrative division inherited from the former French colonial regime (from French: quartiers) – on the Caribbean island-nation of Saint Lucia.

According to the 2002 census, the population of the Quarter was 7,414 people. The village of Laborie is located about 27 km south of Castries, the nation's capital.

History

The first inhabitants of the Laborie general area, migrating from South America around 1000 a.c., were probably the Arawak Amerindians.Laborie a south

..western fishing village named after the French governor Baron De Laborie was once a tutles habitat. French colonials were probably the first to settle what is now the village of Laborie, in the early 18th century.

Notable people

Prominent Laborians include the second Prime Minister – and first being elected to the position following independence – of St. Lucia, Sir Allan Louisy; the 7th Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony; and the current Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy.

Laborie

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.

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.

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 Kweyol language that is still widely spoken in St Lucia.