St. John Stories
How Gifft Hill Got Its Name
By researching St. John's plantation history between 1721 and 1728, we found a clear path to the naming of Giftt Hill (aka Gift Hill).
Three Danish land grants were merged to form one large Bellevue Estate during this period. This was labeled as “the jewel in the crown of The St. John plantocracy,” referring to plantation development among an elite group of families who desired control of the most favorable planting grounds...Read more
Tales of the Kapok Tree
In the late 1950s, my parents purchased land on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. They were excited about building their dream retirement home in paradise. I shared the excitement with them and could not wait to explore this new adventure.
I volunteered to participate in the first work party to do some bush cutting and site selection for the home...Read more
St. John Sea Salt
Our sea salt is a result of intense heat and ever present trade winds that cause evaporation in a shallow pond that is adjacent to the ocean. The sea water enters the pond during high tides and waves break over the small slip of land between the ocean and the pond...Read More
Haulover Bay: Where Past Meets Present
Haulover Bay, located on the East End of St. John, has a fascinating history that reflects the broader historical narrative of the Caribbean. This small bay has witnessed the passage of time from indigenous Taino settlements to European colonization and the transatlantic slave trade...Read More
