HOW DID FREDERICK STREET GET ITS NAME?

Credit to Researcher: Angelo Bissessarsingh

In the year 1796, while Trinidad was still under Spanish rule, a group of English sailors on shore leave in Port-of-Spain became involved in a tavern brawl with some French Republicans. The fight turned serious and spread into the street (Calle San Carlos or St. Charles St.) and almost overwhelmed the meager Spanish soldiery housed at Fort San Andres. Thereafter, the street where this infamous encounter occurred became known to the French populace of Trinidad as Rue De Anglais (Street of the English).

However, when the island fell into English hands in 1797, the street was named Fredrick St. in honour of Frederick of Prussia, father of King George III. Frederick St. remained a major thoroughfare in the town and was connected to Clarence St. which ran from the Queen’s Park Savannah. Thus, Frederick St. as we know it was created.

This photo from 1925 shows the electric tram which ran throughout Port-of-Spain from 1895-1950.