Our History, Our Name
Amos Stanley Wynter Shackleford was born in the Maroon community of Charlestown, near Buff bay, Portland, Jamaica, in 1887. His father, Edwin Shackleford, was a saddlemaker.
In 1903 he got a job with the Government Railway, starting at 15 shillings a week. By 1912 he had worked as agent at various stations across the island and was earning 45 shillings a week. When jobs on the Nigerian Railway were advertised in Jamaica, he took the opportunity offered and left for West Africa in 1913.
About that time there was a downturn in the economy , Shackleford , with his wife’s help, went into business on his own, setting up a bakery on a small domestic scale. This business flourished, and Shackleford introduced new production and marketing methods. The business expanded into other Nigerian towns, and in the 1930s into the then Gold Coast and he became known as the ‘Bread King’ and the bread as ‘Shackleford’. He eventually sold out and retired in 1950. He was also involved in transport and gas retailing businesses, and the importation of Jamaican rum.
He was an important pioneering industrialist and entrepreneur.
The spirit of Amos Stanley shines through in defining the essence of The Wheatbaker . He was an outgoing personality who loved to entertain and a noteworthy stylish dresser . Shackleford was one of the only expatriates who completely integrated into Lagos life even becoming an honorary member of the political party that was fighting for independence from colonial rule.
(Source – http://jamaicansabroad.weebly.com/-amos-shackleford.html)
Amos Stanley Wynter Shackleford built his home here at 4, Lawrence Road in 1950 but never lived here.
Over 50 year later, the building served as an inspiration to develop the hotel.
Inspired by the story of Mr Amos Stanley Wynter Shackleford we coin the name ..
The Wheatbaker in his honor