In the 1730’s, it was deemed necessary to strengthen the garrison because of continuing threats of war and the increasing commercial importance of St. John’s. In 1735, barracks and accessory buildings were erected on high ground to the east of the town. Barracks had been built on Rat Island in 1741, but these proved unhealthy, due to a marsh nearby. So in 1753, a fund was raised to purchase land for building additional barracks to the east of St. John’s to accommodate the 38th Regiment of Foot stationed in Antigua.
By 30th May 1755, a new barracks for 700 men was being built near those of 1735. They were to cost £18,000 sterling. A military hospital was built to the east of the barracks, in the vicinity of the present Antigua Grammar School. Public gardens were planted by Colonel James Ross in 1756, and completed by the Antigua Legislature in 1758. The barracks were finished about 1759.
The Barracks consisted of two distinct buildings a few paces from each other. In 1831, the north wing of the lower one became disused and ruined, so it was resolved to repair it, and use it for as a jail in place of the one at the Arsenal. In 1840, the author of “Antigua and the A ntiguans” , mentions the barracks: “very delightfully situated in a kind of open heath to the east of the town”. So it remains today as the Prison, and the “open heath”, “‘Square” or “Parsah” (pasture) later became the Antigua Recreation Ground, where international cricket matches are now held.