The town was meticulously planned from the start, with wide streets in a regular grid, adequate water supply, and glorious public buildings.

Founded by Thomas Reid in 1769, Falmouth flourished as a market centre and port for forty years at a time when Jamaica was the world's leading sugar producer.

[citation needed] All the above made Falmouth a central hub of the triangular trade in the Atlantic, with the town's economy based almost entirely on slavery.

In Falmouth Harbour, as many as 30 merchant ships could be seen on any given day, many of them Guineamen transporting slaves from Africa or rum and sugar manufacture produced on nearby plantations for export to Europe as part of the triangular trade.

The streets are lined with many small houses known for their unique fretwork and windows, major merchant and planter complexes, and commercial buildings, all dating from 1790 to 1840.

[citation needed] Places of interest include the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, dating from 1895; the former residences of planters John Tharp and Edward Barrett; and the St Peter's Anglican Church, built in 1795.

[citation needed] A new $180 million port was built to accommodate the newest and largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class.