- Facts and History
- Historical Evolution of St. Croix
- St. Croix Landmarks and Attractions
- St. Croix Facts and things to know
St. Croix Facts & History
St. Croix of the United States Virgin Islands, is the largest island of the Virgin Islands spanning over 84 square miles equaling the size of St. Thomas and St. John combined. St. Croix has been occupied by all parts of the world representing 7 or more nations. The significance and lure to this island has shifted over the course of time from a safe haven for the earlier Ciboney, Carib, and Arawak settlements, pirate driven island treasures, strategic positioning during major World Wars, rich productions of sugar cane, cotton, and rum, and to where we are today as a major tourist destination.
Historical Evolution of St. Croix
American Indian Civilization
The island was occupied by Arawak or Taino tribes up through the early 1400’s. This was described as a peaceful tribe that specialized in agriculture and trade. Through a combination of a massive smallpox outbreak and takeover from the rival Carib (“Island Carib”) tribe that had migrated up north from the Northern Coast of South America and Southern West Indies. The Carib people maintained primary control of the islands with small contingent of the Taino on the eastern coast of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with whom Christopher Columbus of Spain had interaction with. They were a fierce unit and specialized in boatbuilding and sailor skills which reinforced dominance in the sea came to be known as the Carribbean Sea. Their dominance, however, could not compete with inferior fleets with advanced war craft.
European Colonization
Spain Exploration and Occupation (1493 – 1625)
November 14, 1493, Spain’s Christopher Columbus visited the Northern coast of the island which he called Santa Cruz (“Holy Cross”) during his second voyage. His fleet had established an entry point at Salt River which is just West of Christiansted. Seeking supplies and exploration opportunities, a small group of Spaniards made way to land and were harshly greeted by members of the Carib tribe. Fierce resistance ensued resulting in a deadly confrontation which served as a starting point for future conflicts between the Native Americans and European colonies. Intense battles between the Spaniards and Caribs continued for more then a decade with the eventual abandonment of the Caribs through threats of government extermination. The extinction of the Caribs and Tainos on the island with the lack of a permanent colonization of Spain, the island went largely unoccupied for several years.
Dutch & English Settlement (1625)
In 1625 the Dutch made way to Santa Cruz and settled in the harbor area of Bassin, now the present day Christiansted. The English located themselves on the western part of the island in what is now Frederiksted. As the Dutch and English colonies expanded, conflicts for territory and power intensified and turned deadly. This conflict was realized when the Governor of Santa Cruz was killed by the Dutch Governor in 1645 and met with retaliation from the English setting off years of conflicts until the Dutch and French withdrew from the Island.
French Occupation (1650 - 1733)
Spain had caught wind of the dominant English influence and forcefully re-took the island and killed off remaining settlers. Immediately after that the French West Indies Governor de Poincy and member of the Knights of Malta, dispatched a superior crew to the island and established control of the island which was subsequently named St. Croix. French colonization struggled in 1651 due to widespread illness on the island leaving it weak and desolate. The island was later purchased by De Poincy and deeded to the Knights of Malta or order of St. John. Their struggles resulted in the transfer of ownership to the French West India in 1665 and eventual ownership of the French Crown in 1674. Poor colonization continued and by the late 1600’s most settlers had deserted the island.
Danish Colonization (1733 - 1917)
On June 13, 1733 St. Croix was sold to the Danish West India & Guinea Co. since most French inhabitants had left the island. The Danish quickly discovered existing and emerging English colonies and leveraged their experience and knowledge to resettle Christiansted and Frederickstend. Their allowance of other nationalities allowed a quicker colonization under which sugar and cotton plantations flourished and were divided equally on the island (Some that exist today: Judith's Fancy, Prosperity, Solitude, Catherine's Hope, Morningstar, Rust-of-Twist, and Cotton Valley). A more complicated system forced the Danish crown to retain control of the island from the company.
Through use of slavery prosperity continued up through 1803 until the abolishment of slave trade by Governor Peter von Scholten. In addition had become less dependent on sugar cane through production of sugar beets on homeland. These facts contributed to the steady decline of the economy over the next decade.
United States Occupation (1917 – Present)
In 1917 the Virgin Islands were sold to the United States of America. Reasons for the sale were due to strategic military reasons relative to World War I. Over the years the agricultural sector has given way to the tourism industry which today continues to be the top producer on the islands.
St. Croix Landmarks and Attractions
Cruzan Rum Distillery
Lawaetz Museum
Whim Plantation Museum
Buck Island Reef National Monument
Christiansted National Historic Disctict
Fort Frederik
Point Udall
Salt River Bay National Historic Park
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
St. Croix Facts and things to know
General- Population: 50000
- Official Language: English
- Timezone is Atlantic Standard
- Drive on the left side of the road
- U.S. Dollar
- Most forms of payment are accepted and there is no Sales Tax.
- U.S. Passports are not required