At one time the small town of Frederiksted was St Croix's major commercial port. Today, the quiet village features pastel-colored colonial Victorian buildings, less crowded beaches, interesting shops and many of St Croix's best restaurants and bars. Less than 1,000 people reside in Frederiksted, the same number who did more than 200 years ago. In 1752, both the town and the fort protecting it were named for Denmark's reigning monarch, King Frederik V.
While the town prospered slowly from the benefits of the sugar industry, some of St Croix's most interesting historic events took place in Frederiksted.
A slave revolt in 1848 caused the emancipation of all the slaves in the entire Danish West Indies. A large hurricane in 1867 brought with it a tidal wave that carried a huge U.S. warship right into the center of town.
In 1878, former slaves angered by extremely low wages rampaged the entire island in a revolt known as the Fireburn. Frederiksted was reduced to ashes. In the 19th C, the burned neoclassical buildings were restored in the Victorian architectural style. In the 1920s communities of Puerto Rican immigrants began settling in Frederiksted, and the town remains a magnet for Spanish-speaking residents of St Croix.
Built in 1803, this small library (also called the Bell House) is a good example of Victorian architecture. Onetime owner GA Bell added bells to the ornamental staircase to represent his children. The building is also a cultural center offering local arts and crafts events.
Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted is a small, shady tree-lined park which is a good spot for escaping the sun. On July 3, 1848 "General Buddhoe" Gottleib congregated between 6,000 and 8,000 armed slaves at this park to demand and receive their freedom.
The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted features exhibitions as well as opportunities to learn with classes and programs. The center's theme is art and artists of the Caribbean.
Address: Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, #10 Strand Street & # 62 King Street, Frederiksted, St Croix , United States Virgin Islands
The deep red rubble and masonry defense of Fort Frederik was built between 1752 and 1760 and the trapezoidal design is typical of classic Danish military architecture of the period. The fort has served as a jail, police station, fire station and courthouse since the purchase of the Virgin Islands by the U.S. in 1917.
Small indoor exhibits depict Danish colonial military life and document hurricane damage on St Croix. The fort was fully restored in 1976 for the U.S. bicentennial.
Address: Fort Frederik, Waterfront, Frederiksted, St Croix 00840, United States Virgin Islands
Hours:
8:30am-4:30pm; Sat:1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun
Tips: The fort may be closed if there aren't any docked cruise ships.
Call ahead.
Market Square has been Frederiksted's prime marketplace for 250 years. Although today it is not nearly as busy, fresh produce can be found in the market shed on the southeast corner.
The 18th C Old Customs House building was used as a customs house until recent years. The colonnades found on the first floor present an excellent example of colonial Danish architecture. The Victorian gallery on the second floor and hipped-roof were added in later years. Damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the building has since been restored. The building is listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks.
Built in 1848, the unique St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church combines different architectural styles. The three-story brick bell tower is in the Gothic revival style, while the gabled ends of the transept and nave are built in the Spanish mission style. A high masonry wall encloses the church and cemetery.
Built in 1812, St Paul's Episcopal Anglican Church is the oldest church in Frederiksted. A neoclassic Danish colonial structure, the church is noted for its English Gothic bell tower.
The private three-story Victoria House is elaborately detailed. While it was largely destroyed in an 1878 fire, the residence was rebuilt including ornamental latticework.
Tips: This is a private residence and can only be viewed from the outside.
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