Treasures of Arima "Deja Vu"

Treasures of Arima“DEJA VU”

A Brief History Of Arima “Arima is the Amerindian word for “water”. It was so named as the village was built around a river. It comprises eight districts each of which is represented by an elected councilor: Calvary, Arima North East, Arima Central, Malabar North, Mala-bar South, and Arima South/O’Meara. In addition, there are 4 appointed Aldermen. The mayor is also appointed.

It is surrounded by the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation and is located 16 miles due east of PoS in the foot-hills of the northern range.

The Arima river and the Mausica river are the two main waterways in Arima.

Today, Arima still remains a town of great historical significance and is a main hub for persons residing along the north east area. Many activities such as the Arima Borough Day celebra-tions and the Feast of Santa Rosa are popular festivities in the area that attracts people from all over Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world.

Still Arima and its surrounding areas houses some of the popular natural landscapes such as the Asa Wright Centre which is 12 km north of the town of Arima and which is one of the last natural tourist resorts in the country. Although the town of Arima continues to expand, it is hoped that the natural environment laying on the periphery would remain untouched and unspoiled.”

About the Artist

STEVE EDWARDS I was born in Curepe. It is a town in the East-West Corridor of Trinidad and Tobago on 31st May 1965. Steve currently resides in Valencia. It’s a town located on the northeastern side of the island. He noticed that nature and his surroundings caught his interest.

He attended the Curepe Junior Secondary School with an award at the end of his tenure. He won the first place prize in the Berger Paint Competition in 1981 while attending the Arima Senior Comprehensive School. He furthered his interest in art by enrolling in the John Donaldson Technical Institute in 1984. He then learnt the art of colours and perspective.

EARLY LIFE

CAREER

Steve has worked as a Commercial Artist for several companies throughout the island, eventually forming the Empowered Company. At this company, he found time to return to his first love, painting. Now in his latter years with training in colours, anatomy, balance and an eye for details, he enjoys sketching, painting and composing in his paintings.

Steve can be reached by cell at 1-868-460-1728

and via Whatsapp.

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The Arima Dial

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Arima Police Station

Salamat Ali House

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F.E.M. Hosein House

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Arima Boys’ Government School

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Arima Boys’ R.C. School

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Arima Fire Station

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Arima Magistrate Court

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Post Office & Warden’s Office Arima

Aripo R.C. School

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Arima Health Center

Calvary Hill Cannon

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Arima General Hospital

First Mayors House

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8

Arima Ministry of Works

Arima Velodrome

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Arima Market

Arima Ridgewood Plaza

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Arima Town Hall

Windsor Cinema

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Photo House Digital Studio

Avocat Waterfall

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Rodney’s Supermarket

Trinidad Piping Guan-Pawi

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Restaurant & Bar

Channel Billed Toucan-Asa Wright Nature Center

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Gary’s Rum Shop

Blanchisseuse Spring Bridge

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Nutones Steel Orchestra

Guanapo-Railway Bridge

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Bus at the Crossroads

Arima Cabeceras River

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Asa Wright Nature Centre

Hollis Reservoir

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View From Asa Wright Nature center

The Northern Range

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El Cerro Del Aripo

Santa Rosa Park

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Toco Lighthouse

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El Tucuche

THE ARIMA DIAL

This is one of the best-known landmarks in Trinidad. Located in the area of the eastern borough known as Broadway. The Dial can be categorized as a beacon to all "Arimians".

Mayor John Francis Wallen purchased it from Nice, France in 1898 and the chimes of the clock gave the people of Arima a sense of time.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA POLICE STATIION

This Station is one of the five buildings comprising Arima's historic block.

This block was located in the heart of the town: bounded by Queen St, Green St, Woodford St, and Broadway. The Police Station is still located on Broadway, Arima (roughly 100 meters north of the Dial) next door to the newly constructed Police Station.

Photography: ©TriniView.com Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA FIRE STATION

This Station is one of the five buildings that comprise the historic block in Arima.

This block was located in the heart of the town: bounded by Queen St, Green St, Woodford St, and Broadway.

The Police Station is still located on Broadway, Arima (roughly 100 meters north of the Dial) next door to the newly constructed Police Station.

Photography: ©TriniView.com Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA MAGISTRATE COURT

The Magistrate Court was also one of the five buildings that comprise the historic block in Arima. It was located at the corner of Green and Queen Streets. It was also called the “Court House.”

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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POST OFFICE & WARDEN’S OFFICE ARIMA

These Offices were part of the five buildings that comprise the historic block in Arima. These two buildings were on Broadway next to the Police Station.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA HEALTH CENTER

The Health Centre was situated in the heart of Arima at the intersection of Queen Mary Avenue and the Eastern Main Road.

The facility in the Borough of Arima servicing Arima its environs.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA GENERAL HOSPITAL

This hospital was situated in the heart of Arima at the intersection of Queen Mary Avenue and the Eastern Main Road. The facility in the Borough of Arima servicing not only Arima but all its environments.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA MINISTRY OF WORKS

This Ministry was located at Queen Mary Avenue and the Eastern Main Road Arima.

(Near Arima Old General Hospital) Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA MARKET

Located at the corner of Hollis Avenue and Pro Queen Street. The market gives consumers access to locally grown, farm-fresh produce while allowing farmers to sell their produce directly at retail rather than wholesale prices. It serves as a livelihood for the Arima vendors.

Photography: ©TriniView.com Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA TOWN HALL

Located on Sorzano Street, Arima, the Town Hall was built in 1949. Its architectural design is a classic of the late 1940s and 1950s. It is a modern two-story concrete building with large glass windows.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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salamat ali house

Salamat Ali was the first Town Clark during the Colonial period. He lived at Pro Queen Street; he was a well-known figure in Arima.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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F.E.M. HOSEIN HOUSE

Located at Woodford Street & De Gannes Street, Arima. In the early days, the "Carib" people would put flags and bamboo with the light. They would put three bamboos with flags and three lights in front of the house. He was like a 'Head Carib' to them.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA BOYS’ GOVERNMENT SCHOOL

The primary school was established in 1876, with just 149 students, Arima Boys Government School is the oldest school in the Arima Borough. Located on King Street, Arima, notable names in the fields of politics, sports, activism, and the arts have walked the school's hallways.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA BOYS’ R.C. SCHOOL

Schoolboys playing a game of cricket in 1975. In the distance is the Arima Boys' R.C. School. The school was established in 1886 on the present site, with the entrance being on Woodford Street, by Monsignor de Martini, Parish Priest.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIPO R.C. SCHOOL

The First Primary School in Aripo was established in 1959. The heights of Aripo Village are located in the Northern Range of the island. It is presumed this village, which lies in known Amerindian territory of the Nepuyo people, was at one point inhabited by first peoples. The work provided by later Cocoa Estates would have been a major draw for labour and settlers in the twentieth century.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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CALVARY HILL CANNON

The cannon was used by the First Peoples to summon members for a gathering. Its original location was at the top of Hosein St (Queen St extension).

It was moved to the back of the old grandstand in Princess Royal Park, known as The Greens. In 1994 it was returned to Calvary Hill where it’s presently located.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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FIRST MAYOR’S HOUSE

Charles Pamphile Lopez was the first Mayor from 1888 -1891. His home was situated on Colombus Street, Arima.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA VELEDROME

This is an outdoor velodrome situated at the corner of Queen Mary and Hollis Avenue, serving the Borough of Arima and its suburbs. The Velodrome has hosted football & cycling activities as well as public events. Many national and international athletes have passed through this venue.

Photography: TriniView.com©2005 Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA RIDGEWOOD PLAZA

Located at Woodford Street and Eastern Main Road, Arima. It is a Shopping Centre.

The scene depicted is a Woolworths branch in the 1970's. Opposite is the National Commercial Bank (NCB) which was replaced by FCB Bank.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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WINDSOR CINEMA

Windsor was one of two cinemas in Arima. It was located on Hollis Ave in the vicinity of the market.

Windsor is now gone and has been replaced by a shopping mall. There was another cinema named Princess later renamed Kabsco.

Photography: ©TriniView.com Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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PHOTO HOUSE DIGITAL STUDIO

This building is located at #15 Woodford Street, Arima (Next to NIB Office). Offering services in photography, camera sales, photo printing from most digital media, plus other services related to photography.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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RODNEY’S SUPERMARET

In 1976 Mr. Rodney Astor constructed a small grocery downstairs his home which he called Rodney’s Grocery. It was not until 1980 -1984 that his dream of constructing a supermarket and outlets for tenanting was realized. The Supermarket is located at 71 Cocorite Road, but it is now under different management.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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RESTAURANT AND BAR

The Bar was located at the corner of Broadway and Queen Street, Arima. The Bar was a central spot in the heart of Arima. The Bar is now gone and has been replaced

by Hadeed Shopping Mall. The Old Arima Police Station can be seen next door.

Photography: ©TriniView.com Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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Gary's Rum Shop

Corner of Broadway and Woodford Street, Arima. The Rum Shop is now gone and has been replaced by K. CHANG General Store. In its heyday with was a very popular liming spot for many.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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NUTONES STEEL ORCHESTRA

Nutones was formed in Arima in 1970 with payment from the Casbah, Tropical Harmony, and Cross Stars Steelbands. In 1998 the band won its first and only Panorama title with “High Mass” arranged by the master arranger Clive Bradley.

Nutones has contributed to the development of Arima.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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BUS AT THE CROSSROADS IN ARIMA

Country single-decker bus at crossroads in 1962, now Borough of Arima.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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asa wright nature centre

Established in 1967, the Asa Wright is aimed at protecting part of the Arima Valley in its natural state and safeguarding wildlife. The nature centre plants and harvests coffee and other fruits and vegetables for consumption at the nature center’s restaurant.

Birdwatchers from the world round visit the nature center. It’s a beautiful place for enjoyment and study for the locals and foreigners.

Photography by John Hill Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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VIEV FROM ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE

A view from the Asa Wright Nature Centre. The Centre is one of the most biodiverse areas in the West Indies and is home to more than 250 bird species.

Other animals have been recorded in the forests of the Centre.

Photography: David Steffan Huggins - DSH jicho ©2015 Painted by Steve Edwards 2022

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EL CERRO DEL ARIPO

El Cerro del Aripo is the highest point in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at 940 meters (3,084 ft).

It is part of the Aripo Massif and is located in the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad, northeast of the town of Arima.

Photography: Travel Pictures Gallery -©Willem Proos Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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EL TUCUCHE

El Tucuche (936 m) is the second-highest peak in Trinidad's Northern Range and is noted for its interesting pyramidal shape.

It is fabled in Amerindian lore as a sacred mountain. There are Amerindian petroglyphs on a rock outcrop below the mountain. These are the only petroglyphs in a country known to archaeologists.

Photography: ©Chris Anderson Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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AVOCAT WATERFALL

Located just a short distance off the Arima/Blanchisseuse road is the village of Avocat.

Within this village lies one of the most mesmerizing eco destinations in Trinidad.

Avocat Falls, otherwise known as ‘Gran Fond Falls’ meaning “the river that comes from the sky” was named by the Amerindians.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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TRINIDAD PIPING-GUAN OR PAWI

Pawi as it is locally known, is a large turkey-like bird whose length is 610 mm and wingspan are 350-363 mm. Most of its body and wings possess a black glossy colour with areas of white on its wings.

Is considered Critically Endangered due to its extremely small population, continuing habitat loss, and illegal hunting, this bird can also be seen at the Asa Wright Centre.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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Channel Billed Toucan

Trinidad’s treasured and only species of this vibrantly coloured bird is found in Trinidad. We may all be familiar with Toucan Sam, the colourful mascot of Fruit Loops Cereal fame is a representation of a Channel-Billed Toucan. It is often spotted here at the Asa Wright Nature Centre.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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BLANCHISSEUSE SPRING BRIDGE

The Blanchisseuse Spring Bridge is located on the Paria Main Road in Blanchisseuse. This spring bridge was a suspension bridge that existed for over a century. It has been condemned and replaced by a modern Bailey bridge.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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GUNAPO-RAILWAY BRIDGE

In 1897 the Arima to Sangre Grande train line opened. This line passed through the villages of Guanapo, Cumuto and Guaico before arriving in Sangre Grande.

At first, trains ran three times a day to Sangre Grande from Port of Spain.

In 1953 an announcement was made that the passenger service would cease on the Arima to Sangre Grande route.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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HOLLIS RESERVOIR

Hollis Reservoir is a reservoir located in north Trinidad and it supplies water for both the towns Arima and Valencia. It is also the oldest one in the country and was opened in 1936. It is also a popular tourist attraction. Located about three miles off the Valencia Road.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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ARIMA CABECERAS RIVER

The Cabeceras or Height of Arima extended for about six miles beyond Calvary Hill.

The streams of clear running water in the Cabeceras were like the lifeblood of the indigenous peoples.

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THE NORTHERN RANGE

The Northern Range runs from the Chaguaramas Peninsula in the west to Toco in the east. The eastern Northern Range (areas east of Arima) remains most heavily forested. Portions west of Arima, especially the southern slopes and valleys, have been extensively deforested since they lie immediately north of the most heavily populated parts of the island.

Photography: Antoinette C ©2007 Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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SANTA ROSA PARK

Located at Santa Rosa Horse Track, Carapo. Santa Rosa Park is a thoroughbred racetrack at Arima. It is currently the country's only racetrack and hosts all of Trinidad's major races, including The Royal Oak Derby, Guineas, President's Cup, and Midsummer Classic.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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TOCO LIGHTHOUSE

Toco Lighthouse before the road was paved, approximately 1950. The lighthouse was built in the year of the commemoration of Queen Victoria's 50th year on the British throne. On November 1ST 1897 the Galera Point Lighthouse was officially opened and its first light was exhibited. In 1984, the system was modernized and made automatic. Tobago lies only some 35 kilometres to the northeast which renders Toco the closest point in Trinidad to the sister island. The name Toco was ascribed to the area by its early Amerindian inhabitants.

Painted by Steve Edwards ©2024

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