In the late 18th Century Spring Vale (in St James) was owned by William Atherton (1742-1803), who also owned Green Park Estate in Trelawny. Spring Vale was a "Grazing Penn", raising oxen and mules for use on Green Park Estate which was then a sugar plantation. The slaves at Green Park had their provision grounds at Spring Vale and the "Great House" at Spring Vale was originally used by William Atherton as his summer residence, to escape the heat of the plains below.
The Spring Vale Great House, with its cooler mountain climate and fewer mosquitoes, was later used as a "change-of-air house" for the Planting Attorney, Overseer, Bookeepers and other British managerial staff at Green Park Estate, where they could be sent to recover from Malaria and other Tropical Fevers contracted in the humid lowlands below.
In 1824 Spring Vale Estate was listed in the Jamaica Almancks as having 186 Slaves and 571 Head of Cattle and the plantation was then over 1,972 acres in size. In the following year, 1825, William Peat Litt, who was Planting Attorney for the absentee Heirs of Edward Atherton, actually became a partner in Spring Vale Estate and remained so until about 1842. Spring Vale Estate then continued in the sole possession of the Heirs of Edward Atherton until about 1910 when both Green Park and Spring Vale Estates were finally sold by the Atherton family.

The Estate was owned by Dr McFarlane in the late 1960's -says Charles McKenzie, who lives locally and is a NEPA (formerly NRCA) Environmental Officer

Spring Vale is presently planted in bananas and is owned by Mr Hart who also is a part-owner of Good Hope.
The estate seems notable for the high investment in irrigation.

(NB I have a note to myself that "In 1840 the Jamaica Almanac reports that it consisted of 39 acres belonged to Anne Campbell". I need to check this out.)

The road beyond the house leads to Flagstaff and Maroon Town and is in poor condition (4WD and/or high ground clearance recommended). It is also fairly deserted and you probably won't find a mechanic or spares. Yes, I have had to walk home from half way up the hill -twice-!