Share folklore, legends, myths, and stories passed down through generations, offering insights into the island’s oral traditions and storytelling heritage.
St. Croix’s earliest inhabitants—the Igneri, Caribs, and Taino – form an integral part of its cultural tapestry. While there were interactions and cultural exchanges between Arawak-speaking groups (Igneri and Taino) and Carib-speaking groups, they each had their own distinct cultures, and social structures. The Taino, dominant in the Greater Antilles, boasted sizable villages and rich […]
Indigenous Peoples of St. Croix 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
“A popular misconception in tourist lore is that St Croix was formerly a volcano.” That’s the opening line of FIELD GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, written in 1966 by John T. Whetten, and presented to the 5th Caribbean Geological Conference in 1968. I came across his paper while researching the Kingshill
St Croix: A Volcano? Read More »
This photo shows the inside the Estate Bodkin sugar windmill, focusing on the arrangement of vertical slots around the top and the operation of the mill cap. A tour guide’s explanation during a Tan-Tan tour, suggested that the cap was mounted in these slots, and raised, rotated and lowered, for trimming the sails, a notion
What Are Those Slots Used For? 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 »
Peter von Scholten, born in 1784, is renowned as one of the most prominent Danes in the West Indies. Initially serving as an officer in the army and having a close association with King Frederik VI, his career took a significant turn when he transitioned to become a customs officer on St. Thomas after leaving
The Life of St Croix Governor Peter von Scholten Read More »
The historical events of St. Croix Emancipation and Fireburn are pivotal moments in the history of the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the backdrop of these events, significant occurrences shaped the course of history on the island. In July 1848, riots erupted among enslaved workers, marking a turning point. Governor
Emancipation and Fireburn. Read More »
I find a fascination in exploring various topics online, often resulting in a plethora of open tabs as I navigate different trails of information. During one online journey, I stumbled upon an article titled “18th Century Grandeur” by the St Croix Landmarks Society (SCLS), which featured excerpts from Florence Lewisohn’s “St Croix under Seven Flags.”
Stumblin’ ’round the Internet, and tumblin’ down Rabbit Holes Read More »
The island of St. Croix is renowned for its adorable Indian mongoose, Herpestes javanicus, often spotted engaging in daring encounters with passing traffic. A prevalent misconception perpetuated by locals, tour guides, and taxi drivers is the belief that the introduction of mongooses in 1870 to manage the rat population was unsuccessful due to their differing
The Failure of the Mongoose in Controlling Rats Read More »
When exploring the Estate St George Botanical Gardens, a captivating enigma awaits visitors at the lime kiln plaque. It intriguingly mentions the mixture of lime with molasses, leaving a sense of wonder about the reasoning behind this unusual combination. Delve into the Lime page to unravel the mystery behind this intriguing statement.
Why mix molasses with lime? Read More »