Recently, several friends on Facebook have wondered about the identity of a Veteran Postman seen in this postcard image above. Mystery Postman Identified! While researching another topic, I stumbled upon the postman’s name in an old newspaper! He is Mr. Joseph Lorand, the longest-serving postal service worker in the Danish West Indies! Receiving an Honorary Award […]
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Follow Along as the YAKABOO Island Hops Through the British Virgins ~ 1911
It was Thursday, June 22nd, the Coronation Day of George the Fifth, when a little sailing canoe anchored in the pretty harbor of Tortola! 🇻🇬 He had just arrived from visiting Saba Island in the Dutch Antilles. The skipper, no stranger to the West Indies, went ashore to announce his arrival and was welcomed warmly by […]
Repairing the EL CARIBE by Hand ~ 1937
In 1937, this huge oil tanker hit a coral reef near Saona Island off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic! A portion of the hull was badly damaged and needed immediate repairs. Repairing the El Caribe Being one of the few railways capable of lifting the 226-ton tanker, she made her way to the Creque Marine […]
GRUNDLOV Constitution Celebrated! ~ 1914
The Grundlov Celebration ON THIS DAY in 1914, the Grundlov celebration took place at the Apollo theatre in St. Thomas. This historic celebration marked the granting of a new Constitution for Denmark and the Danish West Indies! Hundreds attended the meeting wearing their red and white badges, in what was, the first patriotic celebration of its kind. History of Denmark’s Constitution Mr. […]
A Visit by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark ~ 1976
Queen Margrethe II Queen Margrethe II and her family’s visit to the islands was a monumental event for many! I remember her arrival which was on May 28, 1976. The Queen was the first ruling monarch of Denmark to visit the islands stopping at St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Everyone was excited to extend a hearty welcome to them! […]
What College Friends Believed About the US Virgin Islands ~ 1950s
Off to College In 1953, our mother and her sister graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic High School. Both were the receiver of awards at their graduation ceremony. 🎖 Anxious and excited after the summer holiday, they looked forward to attending college in upstate New York together. Samiri Creque, a close relative, owned her […]
Dedicating the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park ~ 1945
Dedicating the Roosevelt Memorial Park Years ago, the Coconut Grove Park was the location of many agricultural fairs, celebrations and even the location for the circus when it came to town. Now, hundreds gathered to celebrate I am an American Day and rededicate the park to the former President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The date was […]
How the Catholic Community Celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Redemptorists’ Fathers ~ 1958
From Rt to Lt, Sister Cecelia (Kindergarten teacher, Sister Maria Rose, 1st-grade teacher, Sister Anita Agnes. Far left is Sister Frances Maureen, 2nd from left is Sister Maria Agnes and 3rd from left is Sister Marita. Photo © 1958 Ed Hagan The Catholic Community On May 12, 1958, the Catholic community celebrated its 100th anniversary of the arrival […]