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 […]
🇺🇸 St. Thomas
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 […]
How the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Was Formed ~ 1914
The Bethany Mission House was the site of many important meetings in the history of the Danish West Indies. On January 20, 1914, the very first meeting took place for the purpose of establishing a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Kindness to Animals “The attendance was large and the proceedings interesting with many prominent citizens present. Seated in […]
The Arrival of an Airship! ~ 1925
In 1925, one of the most remarkable events occurred in the history of the Virgin Islands. An incredible airship flew over the harbor of St. Thomas for the very first time! Commander Captain George W. Steel Jr. received a special request from Governor Phillip Williams. The governor wanted Captain Steel to […]
Tortola Sloop Caught With Contraband! ~ 1933
From 1920 to 1933, the US Virgin Islands was included in the nationwide ban during prohibition. Despite the law, many inhabitants imported liquor secretly. Contraband Found! In November 1933, a Tortola sloop was found wrecked on White rock off St. Thomas. The owner reported to Harbormaster Simmons that he had no idea how the vessel came to be in St. […]