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The Legend of Blackbeard the Pirate

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with True Sarasota Real Estate

The Legend of Blackbeard the Pirate

 

Blackbeard’s Hill has been a prime residential neighborhood since colonial times. As you stroll through this old historical district you can easily imagine what life was like in centuries past.

 

The Danes took possession of St. Thomas in 1671 and built Fort Christian. The observation tower, Skytsborg, better known as Blackbeard’s Castle, was built in 1697, and guaranteed safety for the area’s wealthy residents who could seek refuge if there was an attack by man or nature.

 

 

 

blackbeard hill map

 

 

 

 

 

It Stands Against The Test Of Time

 

The attacks by man never came, and nature’s destructive forces have failed to put a dent in the Tower. It has withstood hurricanes and earthquakes and served as a vantage for the deadly fires that swept the town of Charlotte Amalie in the first half of the 1800’s.

 

The U.S. purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 to protect the Panama Canal. Today, Blackbeard’s Hill has become a living museum of gracious colonial-era manor houses that are open to the public. They peacefully co-exist alongside residential homes of private citizens. Those who live in the neighborhood are still among the island’s elite and you’ll find homes of island entrepreneurs merchants, architects, church and civic leaders. Until recently, the governor himself resided in a palatial apartment on the top floors of elegant 1867 Government House on Kongens Gade at the base of the hill.

Comments(1)

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Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

William, I had no idea, thank you for the history lesson!  Enjoy your weekend!

Feb 13, 2015 09:13 PM