Vintage Stories from the Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands History and Culture in Photographs
How a New Name for the Danish West Indies was Chosen ~ 1917
Choosing a New Name Months prior to the official Transfer Day ceremony, a resolution was submitted to the House of Representatives with a recommendation for a new name for the Danish West Indies. They wished to name the islands in honor of Admiral George Dewey. Admiral George Dewey Admiral Dewey was a US Naval officer […]
How One Woman Opened the Doorway for Commercial Flights to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s
At a time when women became teachers, nurses, and housewives, Clara Livingston became an aviatrix! ✈ As a young girl, Clara fell in love with flying. When she inherited her family’s beachside property in Puerto Rico, she converted a portion into a landing strip. Flying to St. Thomas & St. Croix In 1931, she purchased a Rearwin biplane, […]
Here’s a Glimpse of an Ill-Fated Schooner Before She Sunk ~ 1921
The Schooner, Gaviota Today marks the 95th anniversary of the hauling of the ill-fated schooner, Gaviota at the Creque Marine Railway. This beautiful, three-masted, trading schooner was built in Cataño, Puerto Rico by Guillermo Valello in 1920. Designed for the inter-island trade, she was captained by Juan Cruz. On this day, she made the 100-mile voyage for repairs at Hassel Island. Gaviota’s Fate […]
The 3 Most Captivating Qualities About St. Thomas ~ 1912
St. Thomas, with its beautiful, commodious harbour and strategic position in the Caribbean, has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. In March of 1912, one visitor was so impressed with her experiences on the island, that she wrote a letter to the local newspaper. Mrs. McDonald and her family were traveling on the Victoria Louise, bound from New York to St. Thomas. Below are a […]
How Pencil-Written Notes and Photographs Preserved Schooner’s History ~ 1920
The Meteor Today marks the 96th anniversary of the arrival of the vessel, Meteor, at the Creque Marine Railway. Sailing over one hundred miles, Captain Prince brought the schooner to Hassel Island to utilize its maritime facilities. As she has hoisted up the ramp, her dimensions were quickly recorded, 75 feet by 25 feet. Today, those pencil-written notes and rare photographs are the only evidence to her size […]
The Landing of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt in St. Croix ~ 1916
Governor Lars Christian Helweg-Larsen on left stands next to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (wearing a suit of dark grey tweed) and Mr. R.L. Merwin with distinguished guests in the rear. Photo Source: Digital Collection at the University of the Virgin Islands. Used with permission. Theodore Roosevelt Valentine’s Day was extra exciting for residents of St. Thomas and […]
Leon A. Mawson Remembers Civil Rights Leader, Rothschild Francis ~ 1930s
In 1987, Leon A. Mawson published his first book, Persecuted and Prosecuted. It was about the life of the Civil Rights leader, Rothschild “Polly” Francis. While working as a court stenographer in St. Thomas during the late 1920’s, Mr. Mawson was privy to the prejudices and injustices directed at Mr. Francis in the court room. As a reluctant […]
How a Heartfelt Letter Written 100 Years Ago Still Has Meaning ~ 1902
As I perused through fragile, old letters and newspaper clippings that have been saved by many generations in our family, there was one hand-written letter that stood out among the rest! 📝 It was a sympathy letter from Max E. Trepuk to his friend, Henry O. Creque upon the death of his father, John Bedford Creque (1902). The Letter My […]
How a Small, Ceramic Ornament Brought Back Memories of Childhood ~ 1930s
Have you ever encountered an object from your childhood that you haven’t seen in years, and all of a sudden, a flood of memories returned that you had long forgotten? This happened to our mother recently when she spotted a delicate figurine, originally belonging to her grandmother, on a relative’s bookshelf. Her family member was given the item […]
The Formation of the St. Thomas Rifle Club ~ 1935
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 […]