Yes, railroads. Reports indicate the presence of narrow-gauge rail flatbed cars at Estate La Grange in the West End of St. Croix. Photographic evidence from the steam era highlights the use of these rail systems, along with ox-drawn carts, to transport sugarcane from the fields to the mill for crushing. A particular postcard, attributed to […]
The Railroads of St Croix 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 »
In 1970, Florence Lewisohn penned the definitive history of St. Croix titled “St. Croix Under Seven Flags,” highlighting the island’s rich past under the rule of seven different entities. It’s worth noting that this significant work has never been reprinted, a fact that many consider a societal injustice. Fast forward to 2018, when Stan Joines
The Seven Flags over St Croix 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 »
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 »