The Antecedence History of Old Calabar  

                          "Calabar history provides an insight  into one of Nigeria's                                                                                       most progressive cities."

   

The Old Calabar played a significant role in the political evolution of Nigeria. As it was once the seat of power for the oil river protectorate, Niger Coast Protectorate and Southern Protectorate. Calabar also featured prominently as one of the trading centres and ferry points through which slaves were exported out of the shore of the country during the ignominious slave trade era. 

   It is on record that over 2.4 million slaves passed through the city's seaport in the heydays of the obnoxious trade from the year (1967).

   

   Old Calabar was one of the major centers for learning within the Southern Protectorate under British rule. The Hope Waddell Training Institute (1895),

one of the living monument of the City. The oldest Colonial school in the country.
And in the year (1902), James Luke (Scottish missionary) introduces the the first ever football match in the Country (Unity Tournament) played in Hope Waddell.

 Calabar Road:

 Other historical monuments in the City includes the oldest Post Office in the Country, 

Established in year (1903).

Opposite it, we have The African Club (1903). According to Mr Martin (Tour Guide), However said "The Club  introduce by the Blacks was also the first discriminating Club in West Africa,  because it drew some membership from other country and the Efik Gentry as well.

  Late Sir Louis Orok Edet (1914 - 1979) was the first Inspector General of police force from (1964 - 1966). He was also the Chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (N.F.A) in the early 1960's.

  Watt Market -Calabar:

 

This is the central market in Old Calabar, the largest and daily market, like most major streets and roads in the City, has an exotic name "Watt" the nomenclature being that of a British Merchant, JAMES WATT in the year (1901).

In front of Watt market is a statue of Late Prince Bassey Duke Ephraim IX (A Philanthropist). He was the last reigning Obong Of Calabar before colonialism.

He was also the president of the Calabar Native Court and was a member of the National
Congress of British West Africa. On His early days, He pays so much to the tradition and was equally called The Ekpe Man, because He was born for Leon.

 Egerton/Henshaw Square:

  History has it that the first Photographic  studio in West Africa was the Fernandez Providence Studio (1924).

introduce by Alexander Fernandez Pedro Sixtus.

     

 Here is the statue of Late Dr. Lawrence Michael Ekeng Richard Henshaw (The First Director of Medical Service in West Africa).  He died on the service of His country on 5th February 1955 as a result of plain crash 

  





 




The first Pipe Borne Water was established in the year 1938 by the first indigenous Academic Professor, Late Prof. Lawrence Eyo Ita (first premier of the former eastern region of Nigeria).




 Anderson/Bay-side Street:

 

Ekikak Printing Press, it was the first privately own printing press from Late Chief Albert Effanga Henshaw established  the outfit initially on 16th March 1928. They also produced locally made Wine that was known as The Ekikak Cola, rendering to churches (communion service) and also for Hearse services (Mr. Martin, Tour Guide).

  










 KING ARCHIBONG III (Edem Asibong Ekpo Effion Okoho Effiom Ekpi) [JP]

He was the first King to be in a Regalia which was sent by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom in September 6th 1878.

The Prefabricated building of the first Magistrate  Court in the Southern Region, offenders and judgement was usually pass to the victim my the British Law.

 Duke Town  Presbyterian Church (formally  The Scottish Mission Church), Started since 1904.
History has it that the first Missionary school was The Duke Town Presbyterian School (1846). Before later been change to Duke Town Secondary School (1920), Opened with 14 Pupils

 They prefabricated building of The Duke Town Presbyterian church Manse where the Scottish Missionary reside, built since (1906).
since for about decades, they prefab house is now occupied by the less privilege of  the Church.

On 4th February 1903, the first Christian Mass Wedding was offered in this Old residency of Late Barrister Egbo Egbo Bassey's House (19 Boco street, Calabar). He was an Immigrant of Cameroon who settled at Ikom the present day of Cross River State, and later relocated to Calabar.









"The European Cemetery"

 What makes the Cemetery famous is the Late Mary Mitchell Slessor's Tomb (The pioneer missionary who ended prevalent killing of Twins). Born 2nd December,1848 and died in a place called USE in Itu Local Government Area, the present day of Akwa Ibom State on 13th January,1915 She plays a vital role in the Efik Kingdom. Her corps was later exhumed and Reburied at the European Cemetery, Anderson Street.
 Queen Elizabeth II, with her husband, Duke of Edinburgh Visited and laid a Wreath at Her grave in Calabar in 1956.
 

The Ekpe Stone, its also known as the Independent Stone. It was Commission on 1st October 1960.

















The Old Residency Museum.

The artifacts and relics of the Historical interest.  The building once served as the headquarters of the Southern Protectorate Coast Government which was moved from Fernando Po. Equatorial Guinea, to Calabar in 1882. Until 1906 when the capital was moved to Lagos. In 1986 it was restored  and converted to National Museum and Monument.




In 27th May 2007, The Marina Resort and Calabar River was Officially

Commission by Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Etim Duke.
The River is different from our local rivers in our villages, the unique thing is that the Calabar River always has a low and high tide, the chemistry behind the low and high tide is brackish nature of the River, a mixture of salt and fresh water.
The Calabar River was dredged twice in 2004-2006 respectively, and it measured a Depth of 222 ft.


In Summary:
   Our field work to Old Calabar on 16th May,2015 was a remarkable one. In Old Calabar you will see more prefabricating houses, Effigy's of  the Past Prominent, Academic leaders and Philanthropist, Those leaders that contribute immensely in fighting for the freedom of slavery and as well as the Missionaries. I now know that "If a person does not explore His paths, He cant discovered His treasure," 80.5% of the Old Residency Calabar people are Fishermen and farmers, they exhume sand from the River Calabar. These as their major source of income.

                                                                                                                contributors
                                                                                                                                                June 26, 2015 New by COCO-BASSEY,