Throughout its history, Spanish Town has served Jamaica in countless ways. Initially it was the refuge of the Arawaks. The Spanish later saw it as the perfect place for farming and habitation, and then their priests and missionaries used the city as a religious center. Not long after the island changed hands, the English made it the capital of the island and even changed its name and architecture to suit their needs. If you follow the history of the place you will see its transformation from an unexpected little town to the political and legal center of the island. For many years it was home to the “brown-faced, round, almond-eyed, and cinnamon-colored jungle lovers. The indigenous people of South America called Arawak. War from other tribes forces them to move north from their homeland, towards the Caribbean. They were the first inhabitants of Jamaica. The island's current name comes from the Arawak word Xaymaca, meaning "Land of Wood and Water". When they arrived on the island they realized that the terrain and plant life were completely different from the dense jungle that was home to their original habitat. The material they found to build the houses was different from what they were used to. They quickly learned to adapt and began building distinctive homes known as "Bohio", a "rudimentary hut" perfectly compatible with the Caribbean climate. Bohios were originally rounded huts formed by placing poles at circular intervals and weaving walls made of straight reeds or sticks together. The roofs were conical made from straw from branches or reeds. The design evolved where it was no longer limited to the round shape but later resembled the traditional tent shape. The ridge ledge...... center of the card...... façade of the King's House, once a magnificent home, along with the Governor's stables. Flanking the eastern edge of the square is the old Assembly House, which now serves as the offices of St Catherine's Parish Council. The courthouse south of the square burned in the 1980s, leaving only the skeleton of the building. The red brick buildings with their grand entrances and magnificent courtyard speak of a time when Spanish Town was the center and life of Jamaica. The modern lowland city has long since fallen from its original glory, but still retains some prominence by housing Jamaica's Archives and Public Records Office. The activities have played an important role in maintaining the life and meaning of the place. Spanish Town has lost much of its architectural language and meaning because the reasons why people lived there have been removed.