When you think of St. John, what comes to mind?
Is it the sandy beaches? The crystal-clear waters? The serene atmosphere? Or is it something else entirely? Something more historical and mysterious than even the most beautiful places on Earth can offer.
If you’re looking for a new adventure or just want to add another spot to your bucket list, St John has many ruins and historical sites that are sure to delight—and perhaps even surprise uses of interstate rest area.
Here are 5 of the must-see ruins and historical sites:
- The Ruins of Gallows Bay Plantation
These ruins are located on the island of St John and they were built in 1776 by Danish settlers who had come from Denmark to work on sugar plantations here in the Caribbean Sea area known as The West Indies or West Indies for short! During those times when slavery was legal here in this region during those days back then before 1800s slavery ended then as well as many other things that happened back then it seems like there were many changes happening in history during those times too back then!
2. Ruins Of Fort Christian
The oldest building in St. John, the Ruins of Fort Christian is the perfect place to learn about the island’s history and its past inhabitants. The ruins were built by the Danes in 1672 and were used as a trading post until 1867 when it was abandoned due to damage caused by an earthquake. Nowadays, you can visit this historical site for free and take part in guided tours if you want to learn more about what life was like on St. John during its heyday!
3. The Cruz Bay Historic District
If you’re looking for something more interactive than just taking photos of ruins and buildings, then spending some time in Cruz Bay is definitely a must. The area has been a hub for commerce since it was first settled back in 1733, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore alongside all of your other activities here too!
4. Francis Drake Channel/Fortress Of Freedom (on the island of St. Croix)
This historic site is located on the western side of St. Croix, where you can see the ruins of a 19th-century fort that was built to protect the island from attack. The fort was named after Sir Francis Drake, who visited the island in 1595. The location offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and is open daily from 8am until 5pm (except for holidays).
5. Wallblake House Museum And Visitor Center (in Frederiksted)
This museum is located in Frederiksted, a town on the east end of St. Croix that was founded in 1753 by Danish settlers. The museum offers tours of its collection of artifacts from around the world and includes displays about slavery and colonial life on the island during this time period as well as information about its history since then including more recent events such as hurricanes hitting the island over time (such as Hurricane Hugo). It’s open daily from 9am until 4 pm except for major holidays so visitors should check their website before going so they don’t miss out!
Final Thoughts
St John is a beautiful island with many great things to offer. The ruins and historical sites listed above are just some of the many that you can visit during your stay. If you have time, we highly recommend our top ten list. We hope this guide has been helpful and that you enjoy your time on St John!
Author Bio-Thomas Bouve has had an intensive IT career in innovative transportation projects and now works at Rest Stops Ahead. During a 4-year tour of duty in the Navy, LCDR Bouve received critical computer training which he directly applied to various logistics programs. After his military service, Tom was appointed Chief, Research and Analysis Division within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
