In the early 20th century, Alfred Mitchell, a wealthy businessman from Connecticut, USA, had the ambition to build a mansion in Jamaica, then a British colony. He chose Folly Point, a quiet peninsula on the island's north coast. With views of the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Blue Mountains on the other, it was the perfect location for a winter home for him and his wife.
It was costly to build such a grand mansion on a remote island with modern amenities such as running water, a sauna, an indoor swimming pool and electricity from its own steam generator. The opulent residence resembled a Roman villa and had almost 60 rooms. It was surrounded by a tropical garden with peacocks and monkeys. Mitchel died in 1911 at the age of 80, just six years after completing his mansion. His wife sold the estate, which quickly fell into ruin.
