There are a number of windmills to be found on each of the US Virgin Islands, and also on the various British Virgin Islands.
From the American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) survey (1964):
The date of construction of the Windmill, Estate Whim has not been ascertained. A windmill is shown on the identical site on the detailed Oxholm survey of Frederiksted & surroundings dated 1778. The mill departs from the norm in the large size of the opening. In the batter of its walls it corresponds to the Virgin Islands mills of the early 19th century while the architectural decoration of the mill is not inconsistent with an earlier date of construction. The mill tower was converted into a water storage tank at an unknown date. All openings were walled up & the interior walls & floor given a cement plaster finish. The fill in walls were removed in 1964 as an initial step in restoring the mill tower.[homepage] [info]
built c1810-30
The Historic American Buildings Survey states:
The Windmill Tower of Estate Carolina is the oldest of the five windmills on St. John. The Estate was acquired by Count Heinrich von Schimmellmann in 1765 and remained part of this family's entailed estate until the early 1900's. The windmill was built at an unknown date between 1763 and 1780 when it is listed in P.L. Oxholm's survey.
From the Historic American Buildings Survey (in 1964):
The "cornerstone" of the windmill of Estate Contant was laid by Governor General of the Danish West Indies Kamerherre Ernst Frederik von Waltersdorff in 1790. Architecturally the most elaborate of the windmills in St. Thomas, it was converted to a residence in the 1940's and is now part of a night club.
From the Historic American Buildings Survey (in 1964):
Estate Denis Bay Sugar Factory predates 1780. The remains, converted into a residence, are located on the low land immediately behind the beach. About 1820 the windmill tower and the adjoining horsemill was built on the height above and to the west of the old factory site and connected by masonry can juice ducts to the factory. The mill tower is the smallest of the five windmills on St. John.
From the Historic American Buildings Survey (in 1964):
Estate Hammer Farm is recorded as early as the 1720ties. It was under cultivation before 1733. Its sugar factory site predates 1780. The windmill was constructed sometime between 1800 and 1833, probably about 1820, by an unknown builder. The mill's unusual feature, the vaulted basement story, has parallels in the mills of Diamond Keturah & Two Brothers, both of St. Croix.
From the Historic American Buildings Survey (in 1964):
The Windmill Tower of Estate Susannaberg is the second oldest on the island of Saint John. Erected between 1780 and 1800 by an unknown builder, the mill is in ruinous condition today. The wooden framing and grinding machinery are missing and only the stone tower has survived. The oven opposite the entry and the two windows in the upper part of the tower are the mill's unusual features.
1964 Survey record in the Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) states "The Windmill trunk of Estate Soldberg is the largest of the four windmill ruins on St. Thomas. It was built between 1800 and 1842, probably about 1820."
[info]From the Historic American Buildings Survey:
The Windmill Tower of Raphune is the smallest and probably the oldest of the four windmills built on St. Thomas. It is dated 1774. The builder is unknown. The estate was under cultivation before 1719 when its owner was one Johannes Uytendaal.
| Last updated 10/03/2025 | Text and images © Mark Berry, 1997-2024 - |