The Old Waterwheel Pump House at Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago, dates back to the 18th century and reflects the island’s colonial military heritage. Built by the British, the structure once housed a waterwheel-powered pumping system that supplied fresh water to the fort and its garrison.

Fort King George itself was constructed around the 1770s, during a time of intense colonial rivalry in the Caribbean. Tobago frequently changed hands between the British, French, Dutch, and even the Courlanders of present-day Latvia.

The Pump House, with its solid brick walls and shuttered arched windows, was designed for durability and function, typical of British military engineering of the era.

Today, the Old Waterwheel Pump House stands as one of the few remaining service buildings from that period, offering a glimpse into the infrastructure that sustained colonial life and defence in Tobago’s capital.

How can we work together to preserve and enhance this historic site as a lasting attraction for future generations of visitors?