History
The remarkable treasures that Columbus found -- crystal-clear waters, white-sand shores and rolling, green hillsides -- all remain today for the Island's visitors to experience.

While Christopher Columbus came upon St., Croix in 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas, the Dutch and English were among the first to establish themselves on St. Croix; both powers had a presence on the island by 1625. The two colonies coexisted without major incident until 1645, when the islands Dutch governor killed his English counterpart. The English then retaliated by killing the Dutch governor, which sparked a long series of battles over possession of the island.

	During the next three hundred years, rule of the island passed through many hands, including England, France, Spain, Holland, the Knights of Malta, Denmark and even renegade pirates. The islands most prosperous period during this time was under Danish rule during the second half of the 18th century, when sugar
cultivation, rum production and the slave trade were the largest industries on the island. This golden age ended with the abolition of slavery in 1848; the ensuing collapse of the economy, coupled with a series of natural disasters occurring in the last half of the 19th century, drove the island into economic obscurity for many years.

In 1917, the United States purchased St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from the Danish government to prevent them from becoming a German submarine base during World War I. St. Croix first fell under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy and was later granted territorial status. By 1936, St. Croix's agricultural sector was failing, and attempts to revive the sugar industry were fruitless. A period of uneven economic recovery followed, continuing until the 1950s, when tourism became the leading industry of the island.

Considered one of the most architecturally interesting of the Virgins, St. Croix offers visitors wonderful sightseeing with it's historical architecture and old-world charm. Massive stone forts such as Fort Frederik in Frederiksted and Fort Christiansvaern in Christiansted, the charming Danish architecture of Christiansted and the Victorian buildings of Frederiksted, the enchanting serenity of the St. George Village Botanical Garden, historic plantations such as the Estate Whim Plantation Museum, and the uniqueness of Buck Island Reef National Monument-America's only underwater national monument-are yours to discover throughout the island. You can arrange a tour with the many knowledgeable cab drivers on the island or with a number of tour operators who provide transportation, expert guides and even refreshments.

St. Croix's history spans the rule of seven nations, each influencing the customs, character, language and architecture of the of the island. Even today, with modern conveniences, St. Croix retains the old world charm that has vanished on many other islands. The pace is slower, and everyone takes time to stop and smell the frangipani! It has a lush forest in the western mountains, undulating hills in the interior and, on the eastern end, spiny desert vegetation and rocky red cliffs. Skirting the edges of the countryside are gorgeous white-sand beaches, and just offshore to the northeast lies pristine Buck Island. St. Croix is the largest of the three principal Virgin Islands, measuring some 28 miles long and 7 miles wide and located about 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John.

The island is 1700 miles south of New York, 1200 miles south east of Miami, near the eastern tip of the Caribbean island chain. On the same latitude as Acapulco and Hawaii, just below the Tropic of Cancer. It is eternal summer caressed by cooling tradewinds. The average temperature is in the mid-80s, and there's just enough rain to keep the ixora, hibiscus and bougainvillea in bloom. The eastern end is dry, with giant cactus and yucca clusters. The middle is flat fertile land, once the site of massive sugar cane plantations. The western end rises to a height of 1,096 feet on Blue Mountain, culminating in a rain forest of giant mahogany, saman and tibet trees.

Instead of counties, the island is divided into estates harkening back to the plantation period. The melodic names expressed the intention of the settlers: Betzy's Jewel, Peter's Rest, Eliza's Retreat, Anna's Hope, Profit, Wheel of Fortune, Prosperity, and our personal three favorites: Upper Love, Lower Love, and right next door, Estate Jealousy! More than 300 planters' mansions once flourished here, and their ruins and the remains of sugar mills are among the most extensive anywhere in the Caribbean. Restored plantations and estate museums take visitors back in time. Its two main towns are Frederiksted, on the west coast, and Christiansted, on the north shore.

Christiansted: One of two towns on the island, and a National Historic Site, Christiansted was once the Capital of the Danish West Indies, and was founded in 1734. The architectural quality of the town is remarkable, with cobblestone walkways shaded by large arched galleries. The Danes discovered how to adapt 18th Century-style buildings in the West Indies to reduce heat, maximize breeze, and withstand tropical storms. Trey ceilings let warm air rise in the days before ceiling fans and air conditioning, and cross ventilation is enhanced by rectangular shaped buildings. In fact, even today, many buildings and homes on St. Croix are not air conditioned thanks to this ingenious practical design. The buildings were constructed from cut coral blocks (look closely, you'll wonder how they were ever harvested!) and Danish brick brought as ballast. Thick walls keep the interiors cool, and courtyards and arcades provided shaded retreats. Narrow streets were wide enough for the mule carts of the 1800s! This area, once prestigious residences and mercantile shops of the wealthy Danes, today forms the shopping and restaurant district. Ongoing interest continues and plans are underway for the historic restoration of old buildings on the outskirts of town.

Frederiksted: Victorian Gingerbread, wide streets, and a picturesque waterfront the full length of the town make Frederiksted one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Freedom City, as it is known, has a rich history. Smugglers and pirates of the mid-1700s necessitated the construction of Fort Frederik in 1752. The city was destroyed by fire in 1758, and rebuilt in the Victorian style of the era. Time seems to have passed the city by, but the beautiful park, and open air vendors mart comes alive on the days the sleek cruise ships dock at the new pier. On those evenings, Harbor Night turns Strand Street into a festival, with mocko jumbie stilt dancers, steel pan bans, and street vendor offering local food and drink. Navy ships and subs from the US and foreign fleets dock here often for R&R and frequently give tours of the vessels.