Early prosperity brought electric power to Black River in 1893, when it was installed in a house called Waterloo, the first such installation in the country. In 1903 the first motorcar was imported to Jamaica by Waterloo's owner. Back then the town had a horse race track and an active gambling life, and a mineral spa at the west end of town was popular with well to do. It was recently restored and reopened as the Abundant Spring Mineral Bath.

Many buildings disappeared in a huge explosion that levelled the town center in 1900, though the town boasts many fine examples of Caribbean vernacular structures. some are on their last legs, but a recent restoration project has saved others.