World - famous for their strong-arm sweetheart , the U.S. Virgin Islands deserve adequate recognition as a historiographer ’s paradise . On this scenic quoin of the Earth , you ’ll find everything from pre - Columbian art , to mighty fortresses , to a 220 year - old temple . snap up some sunscreen and join us on a virtual tour of duty of the island , their landmarks , and their truly noteworthy yesteryear .
1. THE REEF BAY AND PETROGLYPH TRAILS (ST. JOHN)
With its ashen - sand beaches and vibrant forests , Virgin Islands National Park is a must - see for anyone who loves the out-of-doors . The park began as a 5000 - acre plot of ground on the island of St. John , which was donated to the US government by esteemed philanthropist , Laurance Rockefeller , in 1956 . Since then , it ’s expanded to encompass around 60 percent of St. John and almost all of neighbor Hassel Island . Snorkelers gravitate towards the faultless coastline while tramper can relish more than twenty wonderful trails .
One such footpath put up us a coup d’oeil at a bypast age . Near the Reef Bay trail on St. John lies a watch crystal - clear puddle that ’s surrounded by basalt boulders , many of which are dotted with humans - made etchings known as petroglyphs . These were carved by the indigenous Taino people , who once invade Cuba , Jamaica , Puerto Rico , Florida , and — of course — the Virgin Islands . The so - called Reef Bay petroglyph were most likely created sometime between 1000 and 1490 CE , although the very oldest may date all the way back to 500 CE . The historical scoring are primarily site just above the water ’s surface . As such , their reflection are clearly visible in the kitty , which was probably a place of peachy spiritual significance . Those concerned in checking out the site can reach it by take Petroglyph trail — a short , 0.3 - mile branch of the large Reef Bay trail .
2. THE COLUMBUS LANDING SITE (ST. CROIX)
During his second pleasure trip to the New World , Christopher Columbus and his 17 - ship fleet shake off anchorperson at an island that he named “ Santa Cruz ” ( now called St. Croix ) on November 14 , 1493 . Upon his arrival , the explorer sent a landing party ashore to investigate . Navigating down the Salt River , Columbus ’s serviceman made their way to a practically vacant hamlet . Here , they discovered a number of Taino prisoners who ’d been captured by a neighboring people known as the Carib . The Spanish rounded up these detainee and started rowing them back to their fleet when a canoe filled with Caribs cross their path . A violent clash then divulge out ; in the melee , one Spaniard was fatally wounded by an arrow .
This whole incident is notable for two grounds . To commence with , it is articulate to be the first documented skirmish between Europeans and Native Americans . Also , it be the only juncture in which any members of a Christopher Columbus - led voyage actually walked on what is now regarded as U.S. territory . The beach that they landed upon was designated as a home landmark in 1960 . settle in northern St. Croix , the site is presently a part of the Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological Preserve .
3. FORT CHRISTIAN (ST. THOMAS)
The old extant anatomical structure on the U.S. Virgin Islands , Fort Christian was built between 1672 and 1680 . Named after Denmark ’s King Christian V , its original aim was to protect the Danish settler on the island of St. Thomas from predator . But this was only the first of many roles that Fort Christian would roleplay . Over metre , the establishment has been repurposed as an administrative office staff , a Christian church , and , more recently , the designated prison of Charlotte Amalie , the town in which it stands . In 1976 , this gilded installation was convert into a museum , with an showing hall open up in the former dungeon . For the past 12 years , Fort Christian has been close to the public due to extensive renovations . However , that certainly has n’t stopped passersby from marvel at the iconic , scarlet , brick - palisade landmark .
4. CHRISTIANSTED NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (ST. CROIX)
By 1754 , Denmark had acquired the whole of St. Croix , St. John , and St. Thomas . Together , these three landmass formed the bulk of the Danish West Indies , a territory that was after rename the U.S. Virgin Islands when Uncle Sam bought it in the twentieth century .
Denmark ’s influence is still on full exhibit throughout Christiansted — the large urban center in St. Croix . On the waterfront lies a seven - acre complex maintain by the National Parks Service . holler the Christiansted National Historic Site , it boasts five of the area ’s most historical Danish structures . Let ’s begin with Fort Christiansvaern . finish in 1749 , this stronghold was used to keep pirate at bay and to put down likely hard worker uprising . Like Fort Christian on St. Thomas , it was eventually demilitarise ; in 1878 , the building was metamorphose into a police force station and courthouse . At one point , Alexander Hamilton ’s female parent , Rachel Faucette Buck , was imprisoned there when her first husband accused the charwoman of infidelity .
Once you ’ve explored the fortress , head on over to the Danish West India & Guinea Company storage warehouse . Chartered by the royal political science in Copenhagen , this organization monopolized swop in Denmark ’s Caribbean colonies from 1671 to 1755 . The company was headquarter at the St. Croix warehouse , which doubled as its main storage place .
Also on - site are a wooden weighing house ( wherein imports were measure ) , the sometime Danish usance firm , and the Steeple Building , which was the first St. Croix church building to ever be construct by the Danes .
5. ST. THOMAS SYNAGOGUE
This is one of the previous endlessly - range synagogues on U.S. stain and the second - sometime in the western hemisphere . During the Charlotte Amalie - found Synagogue ’s first seven twelvemonth , its membership increased from nine to 22 menage — with the majority being of Spanish ancestry . Over the centuries , the St. Thomas congregation has suffer in several different buildings . Their current venue date stamp back to 1833 and , although it was restored in 2000 , this installation still retains its original internal carpentry . On the very same metropolis closure , you’re able to explore 300 eld of local Jewish chronicle at the Weibel Museum . Both are open to the world-wide populace on every daylight but Sunday .
6. SHIPLEY’S BATTERY (HASSEL ISLAND)
Denmark ’s confidence in the West Indies was n’t uncontested . When the Napoleonic Wars broke out , the Danes allied themselves with France . course , this drew the ire of Great Britain . In revenge , the UK hit 4000 men to concern all of the Caribbean islands under Danish control . Overwhelmed by these forces , Denmark surrendered St. Thomas , St. Croix , and St. John in March 1801 .
Britain prevail supreme over the West Indies for a ten - calendar month period . A seeable reminder of this abbreviated but influential era can be regain on Hassel Island . To defend St. Thomas , Lieutenant Colonel Charles Shipley oversaw the construction of a guardhouse on Hassel ’s highest full point . dub “ Shipley ’s stamp battery , ” the structure was a deoxycytidine monophosphate - shaped stone wall designed to domiciliate as many as five seaward - facing cannon . Its remains can still be seen in their original location today .
7. EMANCIPATION GARDEN (ST. THOMAS)
bondage was formally abolished in the Danish West Indies on July 3 , 1848 , several yr before it was abolished in the continental U.S. To observe the 150thanniversary of that historical twenty-four hour period , a commemorative garden opened in downtown Charlotte Amalie in 1998 . visitor are greet with a Liberty Bell reproduction and a bronze sculpture that depict a former slave triumphantly blowing upon a conch cuticle as he fete his newfound freedom .
There ’s more to the U.S. Virgin Islands than gorgeous beaches ( although they ’ve get hatful of those , as well ) . Rich cultivation , delicious food , and incredible history await you , too . penetrate over at VisitUSVI.comfor more information about the Islands ’ upcoming Centennial Commemoration .
