Christian Valley
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'''Christian Valley''', formerly known as '''Roses Valley''', is a [[valley]] and [[Forest reserve (Antigua and Barbuda)|forest reserve]] in the [[Shekerley Mountains]] of [[Saint Mary, Antigua and Barbuda]].Johnson Map (1829) The valley was home to a slave estate, sometimes referred to as Biffins and a former creek known as the Fresh Water River.{{Cite web |title=Christian Valley / Biffins – Antigua Sugar Mills |url=https://sugarmills.blogs.bucknell.edu/christian-valley-biffins/ |access-date=2025-12-28 |language=en-US}} Some communities of escaped slaves also inhabited the surrounding hills and built trails that are still used today.{{Cite web |title=Antigua Nice |url=https://www.antiguanice.com/client.php?id=756 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=}}{{Cite web |title=Key Biodiversity Areas |url=https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/20750 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.keybiodiversityareas.org}} The slave estate was established in 1777, named after Biffin's Spring, the river's source. This spring is today known as the Christian Valley Waterfall.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-11-11 |title=Residents asked to avoid visiting the Waterfall located at Christian Valley |url=https://antiguanewsroom.com/residents-asked-to-avoid-visiting-the-waterfall-located-at-christian-valley/ |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=Antigua News Room |language=en-US}} In 1779 the estate was owned by Mathew Christian, its namesake. Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, the estate's owners were granted 2,746 pounds for the 198 enslaved persons at the estate. |
'''Christian Valley''', formerly known as '''Roses Valley''', is a [[valley]] and [[Forest reserve (Antigua and Barbuda)|forest reserve]] in the [[Shekerley Mountains]] of [[Saint Mary, Antigua and Barbuda]].Johnson Map (1829) The valley was home to a slave estate, sometimes referred to as Biffins and a former creek known as the Fresh Water River.{{Cite web |title=Christian Valley / Biffins – Antigua Sugar Mills |url=https://sugarmills.blogs.bucknell.edu/christian-valley-biffins/ |access-date=2025-12-28 |language=en-US}} Some communities of escaped slaves also inhabited the surrounding hills and built trails that are still used today.{{Cite web |title=Antigua Nice |url=https://www.antiguanice.com/client.php?id=756 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=}}{{Cite web |title=Key Biodiversity Areas |url=https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/factsheet/20750 |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=www.keybiodiversityareas.org}} The slave estate was established in 1777, named after Biffin's Spring, the river's source. This spring is today known as the Christian Valley Waterfall.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-11-11 |title=Residents asked to avoid visiting the Waterfall located at Christian Valley |url=https://antiguanewsroom.com/residents-asked-to-avoid-visiting-the-waterfall-located-at-christian-valley/ |access-date=2025-12-28 |website=Antigua News Room |language=en-US}} In 1779 the estate was owned by Mathew Christian, its namesake. Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, the estate's owners were granted 2,746 pounds for the 198 enslaved persons at the estate. |
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Today the valley is known for its |
Today the valley is known for its scenic views of the mountains, and the Christian Valley Agricultural Station, a government operated station home to a large portion of the island's mature fruit trees. The valley contains many of the rare bird species of the [[Leeward Islands]] and is considered a Key Biodiversity Area. The valley is state owned and its water flows into a nearby bay, similar in geography to the former Fresh Water River. Proposed 1990s legislation to protect the valley from deforestation has not yet been enacted. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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