The Dutch called the District ‘Zwarte Rivier’ which means ‘Black River.’ The French translated the Dutch name and called it Riviere Noire. The origin of the name may be related to the existence of black rocks in the river bed and also along the banks of the river.
Black River was proclaimed a district in 1768. The Casela bird park, the Maconde’s rock, the Black River Gorges, the seven – coloured earth, the Medine sugar estate are all in the Black River District.