Portsmouth was initially chosen as the capital of Dominica, but only served in that capacity temporarily. Royal Engineer, John Simpson surveyed and laid out the area in 1765. It was laid out with a grid design of streets around a central square (now part of Benjamin's Park).
Portsmouth was initially chosen as the capital of Dominica but only served in that position for a short time.  In 1765, Royal Engineer John Simpson surveyed and planned the area, creating a grid-based street layout with a central square that is now part of Benjamin's Park.