Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. Fearing Germany’s advances on Denmark and its possessions, as well as protecting their route to the future Panama Canal, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies. They paid $25,000,000. At the time, the islands were in the most desperate economic situation. […]
US Virgin Islands
M/V Kungsholm, First Ocean Liner to Visit St. John ~ 1958
The Swedish American liner, M/V Kungsholm, looked like one of the largest ships in the world when it was anchored in tiny Caneel Bay. She was gigantic! Maybe because this was the first time in the history of the islands that a luxury ocean liner visited both the island and a US National Park. Filled to maximum […]
Could This Be Charles Lindbergh’s Flower Girl? ~ 1928
Margie Creque 🌺 Family Story: True or Not? Have you ever been told a fascinating story about a member of your family and attempted to verify it, only to be frustrated by what you found or didn’t find? My grandmother shared many intriguing stories throughout my childhood, which in turn, ignited my love for genealogy. […]
A Haunting Experience Above Creque’s Alley #3 in St. Thomas
Creque’s Alley Number 3 This alley, located in St. Thomas, was said to be haunted during the 1930s. 👻 My grandmother lived upstairs with her husband and told us many years later of the sounds she used to hear. It was a private alley and no one but the family really used it. On several […]
American Red Cross Volunteers Dedicate 100 Years of Service in the US Virgin Islands
The American Red Cross Society Did you know that the American Red Cross has been working in the Virgin Islands for one hundred years? The organization was established under one of the first Naval Governor’s, James Harrison Oliver. Since then, they have been helping residents in their darkest hours. Some of their accomplishments in the […]
Happy Thanksgiving from the US Virgin Islands!
Happy Thanksgiving from our family, past, and present. ❤ Thanksgiving for Little Joys 1921 Dear God, from my small world of commonplaces, Of homely tasks and dear loved, circling faces, This day of stubbled fields and steel blue skies, While on the hills Thanksgiving’s mantle lies, I bring to you my garnered treasure store Of […]
How the Virgin Islands Celebrated Armistice Day ~ 1918
Armistice Day “On that grey, November morning when the news flashed around the world that war had ceased, humanity gave vent to its flood of emotions in a madness of joy that knew no limit. Forgotten for the moment was the toll of lives and property and ideals that had been paid during the four […]
Old Photographs and Music Bring Virgin Islands History to Life
The Virgin Islands in Old Photographs This is a wonderful video posted by Etienne A. Gibbs with old photographs collected by Ronnie Lockhart. Thank you to both for keeping the island’s history at the forefront! The steel band music of “Mr. Walker” is a calypso song made famous by the Mighty Sparrow. ~ Etienne A. […]