Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Frederiksted
Customs House
3
Fort Frederik
1
Market Square
4
Police Station
6
Post Oice
5
Visitors Bureau
2
3
Lagoon St.
1
Pier
Customs House St.
2
Market St.
4
Hill St.
King Cross St.
5
Queen Cross St.
St. Croix
Christiansted
Frederiksted
5
6
Caribbean Sea
in 1760, is said to have been the first fort in the Caribbean to salute the flag of the
new United States. An American brigantine, anchored at port in Frederiksted, hoisted
a crudely made Old Glory. To show its support for the emerging American colonies,
the head of the fort fired a cannonball in the air to honor the Americans and their
new independence. Such an act violated the rules of Danish neutrality. It was at this
same fort, on July 3, 1848, that Governor-General Peter von Scholten emancipated
the slaves in the Danish West Indies, in response to a slave uprising led by a young
man named Moses “Buddhoe” Gottlieb. In 1998, a bust of Buddhoe was unveiled
here. The fort has been restored to its 1840 appearance and today is a national his-
toric landmark. You can explore the courtyard and stables. A local history museum has
been installed in what was once the Garrison Room. Admission is $3, free for chil-
dren 15 and under; it's open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4pm.
The
Customs House,
just east of the fort, is an 18th-century building with a
19th-century two-story gallery. To the south of the fort is the
visitor bureau
at Strand
Street (
&
340/772-0357
), where you can pick up a free map of the town.
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