Old Market Plaza (Dawbiney House)
Category: Open spacesThe old market plaza or La Place as it was commonly called in Creole, carries with it a colorful story that goes way back to the earliest French settlers. The market plaza became the hub of the islands capital when some French colonist laid out a plan with streets radiating about the market square in a sort of organic manner. This market, as with all Caribbean towns became the heart of the city until 1971 when the new market was built northwards towards the Roseau River.
The Market Place was also used as the place for slave auction, public executions and punishment and, political meetings and rallies.
The market was originally and still remains a cobbled square. In 1895, a donation of 500 pounds sterling was made by a philanthropist named Dawbiney for a covered building to be erected within the square, hence acquiring the name Dawbiney Market Square.
Today, vendors of handcraft and other souvenir items use the market.
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