Fort Christian facts for kids
|
Fort Christian
|
|
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 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 1977 |
| Designated NHL | May 5, 1977 |
Fort Christian is an old fort located in Charlotte Amalie, on the island of Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It was built by people from Denmark and Norway between 1672 and 1680. This fort was very important for protecting the island and for running the government.
It served the Danish-Norwegian and later Danish rulers until 1917. That's when the islands were sold to the United States. Today, Fort Christian is home to the St. Thomas Museum. The museum displays old items and art from the time when Denmark and Norway controlled the island. In 1977, Fort Christian was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical place.
The area around the fort was once called the Charlotte Amalie National Historic Site. It was a special U.S. National Historic Site from 1960 to 1975. After that, the ownership was given to the Virgin Islands government. Now, it is managed as a local park. Fort Christian is also part of the larger Charlotte Amalie Historic District.
Contents
Exploring Fort Christian's Design and Past
Fort Christian is in the middle of Charlotte Amalie. Today, a road called Veterans Drive separates it from the harbor. Long ago, the fort sat on a narrow piece of land that stuck out into the water. Over time, new land was created around it.
The fort was built like a square with strong stone walls. It had diamond-shaped stone towers, called bastions, at each corner. In the past, there were extra walls on the north, east, and west sides. There was also a round stone tower in the center.
Today, you can still see three of the main walls and all four corner towers. Some living areas were built along the remaining walls. The central tower was taken down in the 1800s. A new building with a Gothic Revival style was built in its place.
Building the Fort: A Look at Its Early Days
The first time people from Denmark and Norway tried to settle Saint Thomas was in 1665. This attempt failed because they got caught in a war between England and the Netherlands. Their supplies were stolen.
Governor Jørgen Iversen Dyppel led a second group from Denmark-Norway to St. Thomas. They arrived on May 25, 1672. He started building Fort Christian, naming it after King Christian V.
In the 1700s, the fort was made bigger. In 1874, a new entrance was added with a Victorian Clock tower. Fort Christian is the oldest building still standing in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has been used as a town center, a government building, and even a jail.
After being closed for ten years for repairs, the fort reopened in 2017. This was just in time for the 100-year anniversary of Transfer Day. Transfer Day marks when the islands were sold to the United States.
Gallery
-
View from the east
-
Northeast bastion
-
Fort Christian, May 2017
-
Fort Christian, May 2017
See also
- List of United States National Historic Landmarks in United States commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states
- National Register of Historic Places listings in the United States Virgin Islands
