Location: 12 mi (19 km) Southwest of Christiansted, Saint Croix
Tel. (340) 772 0357
Fort Frederiksted is a colonial stronghold situated 12 mi (19 km) Southwest of Christiansted, Saint Croix. It once belonged to the Danish West Indies and was named after Frederick V of Denmark, King of Denmark. With a population of some 830 inhabitants (2004) it is the second largest place on the island, after Christiansted. Frederiksted originated around the Fort Frederik that was built between 1752 and 1760 to protect the island against pirates. The place was also the scene of one of the most important events in the history of Saint Croix. 8,000 slaves marched from the nearby Estate LaGrange to the fort and demanded their release. On July 3, 1848 Gouverneur Von Scholten gave them the freedom. Today, Frederiksted is mostly a quiet town. In its peak month, Frederiksted receives about 15 cruise ships (January), and about 0-2 ships per month over the summer months.
History
In 1733, Saint Croix was ceded by France to the Danish West India and
Guinea company. On October 19, 1751, it was decided to build a place in
the west of the island. The place was named Frederiksted after King
Frederik v. in 1752, work began on the construction of Fort Frederik to
protect the island from pirates and hostile possibilities. The fort was
ready in 1760.
On October 25, 1776, during the American
Revolutionary War, salutes were given from Fort Frederick to a passing
American ship, and the place was nicknamed "Freedom City". In 1848
Frederiksted the place was the scene of one of the most important events
in the history of Saint Croix. 8,000 slaves marched from the nearby
LaGrange Estate to the fort and demanded their release. On 3 July 1848,
Governor Von Scholten granted them freedom. In 1878 the place was
destroyed by fire during a riot, and rebuilt in Victorian style.
In the 21st century, Frederiksted's economy is dominated by tourism. It
is the only place on the island with a pier for cruise ships, and the
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is located east of the city. Within walking
distance of the center and the pier is Fort Frederik Beach, a beach, but
when the cruise ships are in the harbor it can be very busy.
st. George Village Botanical Garden is a botanical garden on a former
sugarcane plantation. It is located about 3 km east of Frederiksted.
In the southwest tip is Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. It is
the longest beach on the island, and is used by Turtles to lay their
eggs. From april 1 to september 1, the beach cannot be visited.
The former sugar cane plantation Whim Plantation is located about 3 km
southeast of Frederiksted. The plantation had been founded in 1743 as a
cotton plantation. In 1754, it switched to sugar cane, and the
plantation remained in production until the 1920s. In 1932, Whim
Plantation was purchased for small-scale farming, but the project was
unsuccessful. The buildings have been restored and the estate Whim
Museum was established to provide a historical overview of sugarcane
cultivation. In 2017, the plantation was hit by Hurricane Irma, and in
2022, the plantation house and windmill were under reconstruction.
Cruzan Rum Distillery is located about 6 km east of Frederiksted.
The distillery was founded in 1760, and tours of the factory are given.