Discover the Fascinating History of the Danish West Indies! ~ ValerieSims.com 🌺 Vintage Virgin Islands™

Coal Carriers of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies now the US Virgin Islands

How Strength and Perseverance Gave Coal Carriers a Memorable Legacy

Women have been supporting their families since the beginning of time with incredible sacrifices. Under the Danish flag, they earned a […]

The Thrills and Dangers of Animal-Driven Carts in the Danish West Indies ~ 1906

The Thrills and Dangers of Animal-Driven Carts ~ 1906

Before automated vehicles commanded the streets, horse carts, donkey carts, oxen and mule carts filled the narrow, dusty roadways delivering much-needed […]

Coaling ladies at work on Hassel Island, Danish West Indies ~ 1907

How the Coaling Women Persevered ~ 1907

One of the unique scenes on Hassel Island was the line of women who served as coal carriers or coal […]

Today in Virgin Islands History ~ April 9

Postcard captured King Christian IX"s anniversary ~ 1903

How the 40th Anniversary of King Christian IX’s Reign was Celebrated ~ 1903

40th Anniversary Celebration This postcard captured one of the most joyous celebrations in the island’s history! Don’t let the date […]

Early St. Thomas Panoramas of the Danish West Indies ~ 1850s

Early St. Thomas Panoramas ~ 1850s

An Early St. Thomas Panorama By Dr. Dante Beretta There are two old Danish West Indian photographs available at the […]

Pot sellers of St. Croix, Danish West Indies ~1907

Pot Sellers of St. Croix ~ 1907

This is a wonderful image featuring the types of cooking pots used in the islands ~ 1907 It was captured […]

Photographer captured early image of Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island.

Early Image of the Creque Marine Railway ~ 1912

The Railway This is an early photograph of the railway at Hassel Island. The Creque Marine Railway was kept very busy […]

Admiral Henry T. Mayo, Commander of the North American Fleet passes St. Croix, Danish West Indies ~ 1917 By Valerie Sims

44 Ships Belonging to the North Atlantic Fleet Pass Very Close to St. Croix ~ 1917

Imagine looking out to the horizon and seeing a flotilla of battleships coming into view! 🔭 On a cloudy, January […]

Hugo Larsen's Nanny with Baby painting in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1905 By Dante Beretta

How a Family Historian Discovered Where Hugo Larsen Painted One of His Masterpieces ~ 1905

By Dr. Dante Beretta A little over 100 years ago, a talented young Danish artist named Hugo Larsen, visited […]

Honoring Alexander Hamilton’s Birthday

#OnThisDay At 17 years of age, Alexander Hamilton wrote a captivating letter to his father about a devastating hurricane which […]

A Famous English Actor Causes Quite a Stir ~ 1903

Did you know that one of England’s most popular actors visited St. Thomas? Edward Compton visits St. Thomas Edward Compton […]

Celebrating Three King’s Day ~ 1910

Three King’s Day had the reputation of being the happiest of the holiday seasons! It was a half-holiday that started at […]

Rebuilding a Sunken Sailboat ~ 1916

Last year, I shared a fascinating story about the inter-island sloop, Eagle. Included were rare photographs of her crew and some of […]

Slave Revolt in St. John, Danish West Indies

How One Family Shared the Sad Story of the 1733 Slave Revolt

A group of captive men from the African Akwamu tribe planned an attack against their masters at Estate Fortsberg in Coral Bay. […]

Lost at Sea! A Jost Van Dyke Sloop Vanishes Without a Trace ~ 1916

Imagine saying farewell to your loved one at the dock as they boarded a boat, then discovering later that they […]

Hurricane of 1867, British Virgin Islands history, Danish West Indies history, By Valerie Sims

ON THIS DAY, The Devastating Hurricane of 1867 hit the British Virgin Islands and Danish West Indies

ON THIS DAY, the costliest and deadliest hurricane of 1867, hit the British Virgin Islands and the Danish West Indies! […]

The Loss of the Spider ~ 1916 By Valerie Sims

The Disappearance of the British Sloop, SPIDER During a Hurricane ~ 1916

St. Thomas was struck by one of the most destructive hurricanes in the history of the Danish West Indies! ⚡ The […]

Running a Mom and Pop Shop in St. Croix ~ 1900

Ever wonder what the mom-and-pop stores sold in the Danish West Indies? Generally speaking, EVERYTHING! 🍞👞 👢🍵 🐠 Our forefather opened several stores in […]