History

From its original inhabitants dating back to approximately 2500 B.C. to its exploration and colonization by Europeans, St. Croix has a rich and fascinating history. Historically known for its sugar cultivation, many sugar mill and plantation ruins can be found all across St. Croix as well as the cultural and architectural influences of the seven different countries that have occupied St. Croix. Both the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted are full of historical buildings and walking tours are offered that include 2 forts, many historic churches, Estate Whim Plantation, and so much more. Join us as we explore and blog about St. Croix History.

A History of Transfer Day

Transfer Day refers to the day that the Danish West Indies were formally transferred to the United States, becoming the U.S. Virgin Islands. At 4:00pm on March 31, 1917, the United States purchased » read more » 

Alexander Hamilton’s History on St. Croix

With the award-winning musical Hamilton selling out on Broadway, there has been a resurgence in interest about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It is commonly known that Hamilton was a » read more » 

Historic Artifacts on Company Street

St. Croix is known by many for it’s rich history, there is even an archaeological museum here where you can learn about some of the island’s earliest inhabitants. The St. Croix Archaeological Society » read more » 

USVI Celebrates Emancipation in July

Each year the United States of America and her territories celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, patriotic displays, barbecues, picnics and parties. Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we get to celebrate not » read more » 

Transfer Day Centennial Commemoration

March 31st is recognized every year in the U.S. Virgin Islands as Transfer Day, commemorating the day that the Danish West Indies were formally ceded to the United States by Denmark, becoming » read more » 

Self-Guided Tour of Hamilton’s Christiansted

For those interested in the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, you should know that the years he spent on St. Croix in the Danish West Indies became eight of the most » read more » 

Historic Properties : Estate Mt. Washington

If you have ever dreamed of owning a piece of historic property, St. Croix currently has several amazing options available. When “sugar was king” in the Caribbean, St. Croix was scattered with sprawling » read more » 

Savoring St. Croix Like a Local

You simply cannot visit St. Croix without tasting the local food. The island is a melting pot of cultures and ingredients, which has given rise to dishes that are truly unique to » read more » 

Find Your Park on St. Croix

The United States’ National Park Service (NPS) is celebrating the centennial of their creation in 2016 with the “Find Your Park” program. Many Americans think of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Yosemite when they » read more » 

The Spirited History of Caribbean Rum

Rum has a very long and spirited history. While there are several precursors to rum that span the globe, it is generally accepted that rum was first distilled in the Caribbean in the early » read more » 

Stay at a Charming Historic Property

Imagine waking up on your Caribbean vacation in a comfortable, air-conditioned room and stepping out onto your private balcony to look out over a lush, tropical property scattered with historical ruins. That’s the » read more » 

Visit Historic Churches

St. Croix has historically been, and remains today, a melting pot of religions. Known as ‘The Land of Churches’, the island is home to approximately 150 churches that serve its 50,000 residents. Some » read more » 

Tour Two Historic Forts

Two of the most iconic and imposing historical buildings here on St. Croix are Fort Christiansvaern and Fort Frederik. These forts were constructed between the mid-1700’s and mid-1800’s to protect Christiansted and Frederiksted from smugglers, » read more » 

Hoist the Sails on a Historic Ship

There are few sights as eye-catching as seeing the Roseway making her way across the turquoise waters of the Caribbean into the harbor. The Roseway is a beautifully restored 137′ schooner with massive russet colored sails that is registered as a » read more » 

Visit the Site of Colombus’ Landing

Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix contains the only known site where members of an expedition led by Christopher Columbus set foot on what is now » read more » 

Explore Sugar Mill & Plantation Ruins

You have probably seen dozens of historic sugar mills dotting the landscape of St. Croix. Many of these mills were constructed between 1750 and 1800 when, while under Danish rule, St. Croix was » read more » 

Remembering Hurricane Hugo

September 17th of this year (2016) marks 27 years since Hurricane Hugo paid a visit to St. Croix.  There are thousands of St. Croix residents, past and present, who lived through the » read more » 

St. Croix Heritage Trail

The St. Croix Heritage Trail is a self guided tour of the island’s many historic sites, cultural attractions, and natural areas. The trail links many of St. Croix’s major historic attractions such as » read more » 

Chaney : The Unknown Treasure of St. Croix

When I first arrived on St. Croix I spent most of my days snorkeling and treasure hunting. I was surprised to find something other than sea glass and seashells–I discovered “Chaney”! For » read more » 

Meet the Hellenbrand Family…

In 1981, Vern and Donna Hellenbrand of Madison, Wisconsin came to St. Croix for the first time as part of a trip which included about 12 Caribbean islands to celebrate their 25th » read more » 

The Wonders of St. Croix

A few years ago, I was in a meeting with the owners and management of St. Croix’s hotels and tour operators.  We were given an advanced copy of a new brochure that » read more » 

Christiansted Antiques and Collectibles Fair

The Christiansted Community Alliance hosts the biannual Christiansted Antiques and Collectibles Fair. Also known as the Limpricht Park Vintage and Collectibles Fair, this event is held twice each year, once in the Spring and » read more » 

The Miracle of Coconut

My husband, away for two weeks, has left me with 7 coconuts waiting to be cut open with our newly sharpened machete. It is a sight that fills me with pride and » read more » 

The Lawaetz Family Museum

A person would be extremely fortunate to have the history of one of St. Croix’s oldest and most interesting families, the Lawaetz family, told to them by Kai and Irene Lawaetz, long-time » read more » 

St. Croix Manners Matter

St. Croix is a real Caribbean island with real West Indian people, from many different islands. The people here are very reserved and proper, and manners are extremely important. To make the » read more » 

Safari Tour with Sweeny

Long time local, Sweeny Toussant, greets me and a small group of visitors in his open-air bus. We are ready to explore the wondrous places of St. Croix. Sweeny, his Safari Tour, » read more » 

Botanical Gardens Tour

Located on the west end of St. Croix is a place where beauty, history, and culture blend together in an inviting atmosphere. It is here you learn of the mysterious “weed woman” » read more » 

Top 10 Reasons To Choose St. Croix

#10 No passport? No problem, mon. Foreign enough to be exotic, St. Croix is in fact part of “America’s Caribbean”-one of the islands comprising the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Everyone speaks » read more » 

The Grange: A Historic Greathouse

A rustic gravel lane, shaded by duel rows of lignum vitae and mahogany trees, intrigued us one day as we were exploring St. Croix. We turned in and were richly rewarded with » read more » 

Senepol Cattle – A Crucian Breed

It all started a long time ago in 1860 when a man named George Elliott decided to import 60 Senegalese (N’Dama) heifers and two bulls from Senegal West Africa. Mr. Henry Nelthropp, » read more » 

A Fresh Perspective from Hotel on the Cay

A small little island exists in the middle of the Christiansted Harbor on St. Croix. This hotel has been an institution on St. Croix for decades. The ferry over to the cay, » read more » 

What a Tour, that world famous Cruzan Rum!

Anyone can tour the Cruzan Rum Distillery, located on the West End of St. Croix, and I highly recommend that you do! At the distillery local culture, history, and, well, rum, come » read more »