Fort Christian Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Fort Christian
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

View from the north
Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Location	Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands
Area	1.92 acres (0.78 ha)
Built	c. 1666–1680
Architect	Governor Jørgen Iversen
Architectural style	Danish Military, Late Victorian, Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	77001329
Added to NRHP	May 5, 1977
Designated NHL	May 5, 1977

Fort Christian is a very old fort located in Charlotte Amalie, on Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It was built by people from Denmark and Norway between 1672 and 1680. This fort was super important for defending the island and for running the government. It served these purposes during the time Denmark and Norway, and later just Denmark, ruled the islands. This period ended in 1917 when the islands were sold to the United States.

Today, Fort Christian is home to the St. Thomas Museum. This museum displays old items and art from the time when Denmark and Norway were in charge. In 1977, Fort Christian was recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.

For a while, the fort was part of the Charlotte Amalie National Historic Site. It was also called the St. Thomas National Historic Site. This was a special U.S. National Historic Site from 1960 until 1975. Then, its ownership was given to the Virgin Islands. Now, it is managed as a park for the territory. The fort is also a key part of the Charlotte Amalie Historic District.

Fort Christian: Its Design and Story
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Fort Christian: Its Design and Story

Fort Christian is in the middle of Charlotte Amalie. Today, a road called Veterans Drive separates it from the harbor. It might look like it's surrounded by land now. But originally, it sat on a narrow piece of land that stuck out into the harbor. Over time, more land was added around it.

What the Fort Looked Like

The fort was built as a square shape. It had strong stone walls, called curtain walls. At each corner, there were diamond-shaped stone parts called bastions. These bastions helped protect the fort from attacks. In the past, the north, east, and west sides had extra defenses called ravelins. There was also a round stone tower in the center of the fort.

Today, only three of the original curtain walls and all four bastions remain. Some living areas were built along the remaining walls. The central tower was taken down in the 1800s. A new building, designed in a style called Gothic Revival, was built in its place.

How Fort Christian Was Built

The first time people from Denmark and Norway tried to settle Saint Thomas was in 1665. But this attempt failed. The settlers got caught in a war between England and the Netherlands. Their supplies were taken by the fighting groups.

Then, Governor Jørgen Iversen Dyppel led a second group from Denmark-Norway. They arrived in St. Thomas on May 25, 1672. Governor Dyppel started building Fort Christian. He named it after King Christian V of Denmark.

In the 1700s, the fort was made bigger. In 1874, a new entrance was added. This new entrance included a Victorian Clock tower. Fort Christian is the oldest building still standing in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has been used for many things over the years. It served as a town center, a government building, and even a jail.

Recent History of the Fort

Fort Christian was closed for ten years for important renovations. It reopened in 2017. This reopening was just in time for the 100-year anniversary of Transfer Day. Transfer Day is when the islands were officially transferred from Denmark to the United States.