Discover Catherineberg
You may be lured to St. John for its endless selection of white sandy beaches, but you may not know that the island also offers a rich cultural history that should not be overlooked.
In the 17th century, the island was ruled by the Danish and was home to more than 25 sugar and rum producing factories. Today, plantation ruins are protected by the Virgin Islands National Park and are open to the public. One of those sites, Catherineberg, is easily accessed just 100 yards off of Centerline Road.
Catherineberg once served as headquarters for a tribe of Africans captured into slavery. Much of these well-preserved ruins remain fairly in tact including factory buildings, the windmill tower and a mill where horses, oxen or mules powered rollers used to crush sugarcane stalk. An old stone storage vault featuring arched passageways is clearly defined beneath the restored windmill, and the round mill used for holding water is located just across the road.
If you’d like to learn more about St. John’s Danish history, be sure to visit the Elaine Sprauve Library and Museum located in Cruz Bay. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To get there from town, make the third right turn after the Texaco Station going east on Route 104.
In addition to the most beautiful stretches of white sand in the Caribbean, a complex history central to the early development of the Virgin Islands lies right under your nose. Get out there and explore all that our magical island has to offer!
