The Cage, Montego Bay

The Cage is a small but historically significant landmark that offers insight into the city’s colonial past. Originally built in 1806, the structure was made of wood and functioned as a temporary jail or holding cell. It was commonly used to detain drunken sailors, runaway slaves, and vagrants overnight before they were either released, punished, or returned to their plantations. Its location near the waterfront made it a convenient stop for controlling disorder in the busy port town.

In 1822, the wooden structure was replaced by the present building constructed of brick and cut stone, giving it greater permanence and resilience. Though modest in scale, The Cage reflects the strict social order and harsh realities of early 19th-century Jamaican life under British colonial rule. It stands as a rare surviving example of public architecture from that period in Montego Bay.

Today, The Cage has taken on a new role—it now houses a foreign currency exchange kiosk, blending modern use with its preserved historical exterior.