🌺 Virgin Islands History

Vintage Stories from the Virgin Islands

🇺🇸 St. Thomas

Waterfront Shopping, a Novel Experience for Visitors ~ 1965

Shopping for food on the waterfront was a novel idea for tourists.🍍 Here’s what one visitor wrote home: ~ 1965 Waterfront Shopping “I guess when you were younger, food was bought at places other than supermarkets, but I doubt if you have ever bought food as the people on the island do.” ~ Jack   Here […]

Do You Know the Location of this Colorful Painting?

Colorful Painting Hundreds of artists have captured the beauty of the Virgin Islands in their own way. 🎨 Street scenes, panoramic views, harbor views and many more have come to life on their canvases right before their eyes. Our most famous artist, born on the island of St. Thomas, was Camille Pissarro. He was known […]

Lunch on the Hotel Terrace ~ 1957

The Hotel Terrace at Bluebeard’s Castle Bluebeard’s Castle has one of the best views on the island of St. Thomas. It’s a historic property that dates back to 1689 when the Danish Government built it as a measure of defense. Later in the 1930s, it became a popular luncheon spot when it reopened to the public. In […]

Beautiful Weather Makes One Visitor Want to Stay ~ 1968

Arriving by ship must be an incredible experience for visitors!🚢 When they enter the harbor for the first time, they can see the three hills on which St. Thomas is built, along with Fort Christian which stands guard. Perched on two of the hills are Blackbeard’s Castle and Bluebeard’s Castle to the east, both of which […]

Flamboyants and Buttercups and a Lovely Caribbean Belle ~ 1960s

I love these old postcards that capture a moment in time.  I remember climbing a flamboyant tree similar to the one in the background as a child. It was so much fun. I felt like I was on top of the world! Those were the carefree days before electronic devices dominated our lives. Even visitors […]

Pretty Postcard of the Apothecary Hall on Main Street ~ 1930s

Apothecary Hall This is a pretty postcard of the Apothecary Hall. The three-story building was destroyed by a Christmas fire in 1895, when real candles were used to decorate the tree. 🎄 The only items saved were a few books. The owners received a fair claim having had the building insured with the same company […]