Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Monday, April 1, 2013

A to Z Challenge: A is for Annaberg


For this, my fourth year doing the challenge, I've decided to share place names in the Virgin Islands. For such a small spot in the ocean, it seems that every rock, cove, hill, trail and house has been christened.  The names are a unique mix of Spanish, Danish, French, Dutch, English, and African to name a few.
Annaberg, St. John

I've written about Annaberg before. You can find those posts HERE.

Between 1717 and 1718 the Danes colonized St. John and the first 20 planters began to grow sugarcane, cotton and other crops. By 1731, a mere 14 years later, there were over 100 other working plantations and Annaberg, which means Anna's Hill,  was under cultivation. Approximately 200 whites and 1000 black slaves lived on the island at that time.

At right is the windmill that was used for crushing sugarcane.







Other A names:

Anna Point, St. John
Ajax Peak, St. John 





America Hill, St. John

A beautiful estate house, now in ruins. As a child I walked inside it as the roof and the floors were still intact. You can see other pictures HERE.


Adrian Estate, St. John:
 The site of one of the two steam engines used for crushing sugarcane. 
FRONT ELEVATION OF "A" FRAME OF STEAM ENGINE. - Estate Adrian, Cruz Bay, St. John, VI
Photo by Jet Lowe, 1985. Owner: Library of Congress, Habs/Haer Collection.

All Saints Cathedral, St. Thomas 
was built in 1848 in celebration of the end of slavery. Because of a drought, molasses and rum was used in mixing some of the mortar. I went to the school attached to this church and there were times when we could catch the faintest whiff, particularly in the two small rooms at the front of the church.

18 comments:

  1. An interesting theme. I'm looking forward to visiting all the spots of the Virgin Islands.

    ReplyDelete
  2. America Hill reminds me of The Secret Garden! Beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm afraid I didn't even know where the Virgin Islands are. I've had to look it up. Fascinating topic.

    Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have one postage stamp from the Virgin Islands in my collection. Your theme will give me information about them that I've never known, The Danish origin surprised me here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love all the stones they used. I'm sure that's because they used what they could find there to build.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those pictures are really something to look at, wow. Looking forward to your theme!!

    Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

    ReplyDelete
  7. Knowing the history behind a name and place adds so much...probably because I like stories. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cool photos. Wow, the plantations really sprang up fast, didn't they?

    ReplyDelete
  9. This will be fun. I'll try to make it back daily. Hope you even include STX, even though I know you didn't really spend time here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now I have an urge to go on vacation! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow!! i must see these places!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So much history and tragedy happened in those places. I'd love to know about that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very well done post. I appreciate and enjoy articles with lots of pictures (photos add so much to a story). Interesting history lesson. Hope to see more during the Challenge.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looking forward to your posts. You know how much Beloved Husband and I love it there.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Deniz .. I hadn't realised the Danes travelled too - but I suppose that's a silly thing to say!! They were Vikings ..

    Such interesting history .. so your theme will be appreciated by me!

    Cheers for now - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  16. H Bish .. I meant you (not Deniz) .. sorry all round!!! the brain .. is only at B .. but already muddled!! - H

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like old buildings. We have churches that look like that one here in Jamaica. I just knew you'd have some interesting things to share during the challenge.

    ReplyDelete

Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!