Highlight significant landmarks, monuments, museums, forts, plantations, and other sites of historical and cultural importance on the island, other than mills.
Salt River Bay, located on the north shore of St. Croix, is a site of profound historical and ecological significance. It is notably recognized as the only documented location where members of Christopher Columbus’s expeditions set foot on what is now U.S. territory. For thousands of years, Salt River Bay was home to various Indigenous […]
Columbus Landing: Salt River Point Read More »
Altona Lagoon is a serene and scenic lagoon located on the eastern side of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Known for its tranquil waters and lush natural surroundings, the lagoon is a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike who enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and birdwatching. The surrounding mangrove forests
Hardens Gut is a historically significant area located in the Frederiksted area of St. Croix, in the vicinity of the Ball Park, on what was once Estate La Grange. The term “Gut” refers to a ravine or watercourse, which is common terminology in the Caribbean for natural waterways that channel rainwater from the hills to
I will start this post with a photo of The Whim grounds showcasing three out of the four types of sugar mills used on St. Croix – from left to right: Animal Mill, Wind Mill, and Steam Mill. The remains of a Water Wheel Mill can be observed at The Botanical Gardens. This photograph was
I felt it necessary to juxtapose how the lighthouse looked when it was first in operation with how it looks today. Sad. This shows the lighthouse, apparently in operation in 2006 but had already been deactivated in the mid 1990s. Marcus Bodio (deceased) had provided the illumination. It can be seen to already be deteriorating
Save the Hams Bluff Lighthouse Read More »
Location: 17°45’44.99″N 64°53’10.14″WEstate Northside. NA-37 Monks Bath is a feature, located in the north-west of St Croix, approximately 3.7 miles north of Frederiksted. According to one story, monks carved the pool to stay clean without using their fresh drinking water. However, others say that the pool was built in the 1950s or 60s by property owners who
I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken” – 1915 Odd, the above image may look, but it is a fragment of the Oxholm map of the
The Road Not Taken Read More »
Location: 17°45’18.19″N 64°41’39.78″W I thought a good follow-up to my post on Protestant Cay would be one about Fort Louise Augusta. I shared a link to a St. Croix Source article from 2021, but I wanted to explore it myself. Driving along the Bypass, past Gallows Bay, the ferry terminal, and St. Croix Marina, I
Ft. Louise Augusta Read More »
The bricks we encounter in this region, whether as residents or visitors, serve a multitude of purposes, adorning walls, walkways, gutters, storm drains, and even sugar windmills. These bricks exhibit a vibrant array of hues ranging from light yellow to deep red. Their prevalence in the area can be traced back to the historical sea
The Bricks that Built St Croix Read More »
The sugar industry in the Caribbean traces its beginnings back to 1493 when Christopher Columbus introduced sugarcane to the region during his second voyage, bringing cuttings from the Canary Islands to Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic). In the 1640s, Barbados became one of the earliest and most successful sugar-producing colonies. A significant sugar
The Early Sugar Windmills of St Croix. Read More »