During the nineteenth century, the parish was an area of sugar cane plantations, with a majority of black enslave descendant after the abolition of slavery.

This was the only major revolt (as distinguished from slave rebellions and worker uprisings), in Jamaican history.

[2] Morant Bay's sister cities are Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada and Hartford, Connecticut, United States.

Opposite the court house is a memorial garden for Jamaican soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

Behind the court house is a small park containing the ruins of the Morant Bay Fort.

[2] "The 9,013 square-foot building includes two courtrooms with jury boxes, two judges' chambers, a registry, clerk's office, jury room, witness room, lunch room, sick bay, holding area with police post, public sanitary facilities, and a 40 feet container for storage of files and accommodation for the bailiff.