Some of the shops at Red Gal Ring. - Errol Crosby

Winding roads, greenery and the smell of crisp fresh air are what one will encounter on the journey to the St Andrew community known as Red Gal Ring.

The hairpin corner, which is arguably one of the deepest on the way from St Andrew to places such as Golden Spring, St Mary and Portland, has been a mystery to many for several years.

When THE STAR journeyed recently to the area which can be found after leaving Manor Park and heading up towards Stony Hill, we spoke to Derrick Simmonds one of the owners of the flourishing businesses along the corner.

The 69-year-old, who had been celebrating his birthday, told our news team that he has been the owner of the property for over 40 years.

He explained that the area got its name long before Jamaica received Independence in 1962.

"When I came here in 1972, the first question I posed to a native who passed on a long time is how the place got the name. He told me that when the British was here before we got Independence, the English soldiers always lined up outside and passers-by would shout, 'Reds gathering'," he recalled.

Simmonds said he was also told that there were lots of red-skinned people who resided in the corner.

The area was also known to be the home for a Texaco gas station. THE STAR understands that the station closed its doors in the early 2000s.

"They break the gas station 21 times and I stop counting after that," Simmonds said.

THE STAR was also informed that Red Gal Ring was the first area where the Jamaican Pushcart Derby was held. According to Simmonds, the derby was held in the community for over 20 years.

"If yuh not in this corner, yuh don't enjoy the race because everybody want to be in this corner. We did it for 20 years," he expressed.

These days, Red Gal Ring is known as a jerk and curry goat centre.

Simmonds and his wife runs the curry goat centre while the jerk centre, which several customers attest has the best jerk pork, chicken and sausage in the country, is run by Rohan Banks and his brother Eddie.

One of the Banks brothers, who said that it was his understanding that the place was originally named Red Gallering, pointed out that because of the prime location and the mystery surrounding the area, his jerk centre has received lot of customers, especially tourists.

He said that people enjoy the succulent taste of the foods that are prepared by top-flight chef Marvin Archer.

For him, however, persons will need to visit Red Gal Ring to experience the mystery of the very historic location.

Derrick Simmonds shows off some of his awards.

Vehicles negotiating the deep corner at Red Gal Ring.