The Rifle Club Besides classic cars, the men in our family loved target practice! Leon A. Mawson, Henry O. Creque, and Dante de Lagarde enjoyed this sport as well as their friends, Albert Commissiong, Carl Martin, Denis Souffront, Norman Griggs and Mr. Towles. Forming the Rifle Club In 1935, an additional nine members joined together to form an official […]
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ELSIE BAKER Performs in the Virgin Islands! ~ 1932
In the 1930s, famous celebrities were invited to the islands by the first civilian Governor, Dr. Paul M. Pearson. He held a deep love for the arts and believed the island community would as well. One of the first artists he invited was Louise Stallings. Others included the Hampton Quartette, the poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay, as […]
How Early Medical Pioneers Made a Difference ~ 1932
KUDOS to the early medical pioneers that advocated for higher levels of health care in the islands! Dr. Mortenson, Dr. Knud-Hansen, Dr. Christensen, Dr. Stafford, Dr. Lanclos and Dr. Sumner were just a few of the individuals who made a difference in the medical and dental fields during the early twentieth century. Prior to 1917, there were just a few dedicated […]
How Graduation Celebrations at Lindbergh Bay Became the Best Memories ~ 1953
I smile every time I see this photograph of my mother and her friends!😊 As teenagers, she and her closest cousins loved the beach! Lindbergh Bay, Magens Bay, and Lindquist Beach were their favorites! This photo, with Sister Grace Imelda, was taken at a beach party for the celebrating graduates of Sts. Peter & Paul High School. Graduation […]
How One Brave Captain Touched the Hearts of Many As He Sailed Around the World ~ 1932
alt=”Sailing around the world! Captain Harry Pidgeon of the ISLANDER visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1937 By Valerie Sims” width=”638″ height=”536″ /> Do you love old photographs? I’m fascinated by them and have spent a lifetime trying to figure out who was who in my ancestor’s albums. I was intrigued by this photograph […]
All Passengers Survive After Seaplane Goes Down! ~ 1978
In the late 1970s, our volleyball team from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic school traveled to St. Croix to compete in the inter-island school competitions. ⛹🏼♀️ I can’t recall if we won or lost, but for many of us, it was our first trip to St. Croix and our first time on the seaplane. […]
The Popularity of Snipe Boat Racing ~ 1936
During the 1930s, Snipe boat racing was an exciting sport in the islands! Snipe Boats The first Snipe boat was designed in 1931 and became a popular racing class with fleets around the world. In 1935, an International Snipe Class Association was organized in St. Thomas. Shipwright, Willie Lewis built the first few boats. When he launched […]
Thousands Greeted President Franklin D. Roosevelt On His Virgin Islands Visit ~ 1934
From L to R: Honorable Herman O. Creque, representing St. John (great-grandfather), Unknown Council member, Honorable Herbert E. Lockhart, Unknown Council member, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mrs. Edna Pearson, the Governor’s wife & Franklin Roosevelt Jr. Copyrighted photo © 2016 Valerie Sims. All Rights Reserved. Franklin D. Roosevelt The summer of 1934 was one of […]