Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands
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| Town of Frederiksted | |
|---|---|
Along Company Street In Downtown Frederiksted
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| Nickname(s): Freedom City | |
 
Town of Frederiksted
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| Coordinates: 17°42′42″N 64°52′55″WCoordinates: 17°42′42″N 64°52′55″W | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory |  United States Virgin Islands |
| District | District of Saint Croix |
| ZIP code | 00840, 00841 |
| Area code(s) | 340 |
Frederiksted is both the town and one of the two administrative districts of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. A grid planned city, designed by surveyor Jens Beckfor, originally to 14x14 blocks but built 7x7 to enhance the island commerce in the 1700's. Frederiksted is less than 1,000 people in the town proper, but nearly 10,000 in the greater western side of the island. Christiansted (mid-island on the north) is about 30 years older but commerce was limited by its natural, shallow protective reef. Frederiksted was built in the leeward side of the island (shadow of the wind) for calm seas and a naturally deep port. It is home to Fort Frederik, constructed to protect the town from pirate raids and attacks from rival imperialist nations and named after Frederick V of Denmark, who purchased the Danish West Indies in 1754.
Frederiksted is often referred to as "Freedom City" by locals. This nickname has to do with the fact that the town was the site of the emancipation of slaves in the then-Danish West Indies. On July 3, 1848, freed slave and skilled craftsman Moses Gottlieb, who also was known as "General Buddhoe," led the uprising, organized slaves on St. Croix's West End plantations, and marched on the town of Frederiksted. The emancipation of slaves was proclaimed on July 3, 1848, at Fort Frederik on the waterfront at the northern edge of Frederiksted by Governor-General Peter von Scholten.
Frederiksted is home to one of two deep water ports on St. Croix and is the main port for cruise ships visiting the island. Passengers disembark at the Frederiksted Pier, where they may explore the town, enjoy the beaches, rent a car, or catch a waiting taxi that will bring them to other points of interest across St. Croix. The other deep water port is located at the South Port which includes Hovensa oil refinery tank farm and Renaissance Industrial Park.
The territory's Legislature is also located in Frederiksted.[1][2] There are also several government buildings that occupy historic buildings.
In the 1990's and early 2000's, Frederiksted was a port for Seaborne Seaplane as well as the inter-island ferry.[3] Political influence and funding have moved these economic hubs to other ports. The ferry was damaged in July 2011 and has not been replaced.[4][5] The seaplane was relocated to Christiansted after only one year of service due to insufficient infrastructure. Plans to reopen service are contingent on the funding approval for the Frederiksted Renovation and Revitalisation Plan.
Today, Frederiksted is mostly a sleepy town. In its peak month, Frederiksted receives about 15 cruise ships (January) and 0-2 ships in summer months compared to St. Thomas' 3-8 ships per day. This lack of cruise ships makes St. Croix and Frederiksted a premium destination for people who enjoy a quieter lifestyle and easy access to the beach (walking distance from the Pier). Most cruise ship ports are bustling with jewellery districts retail. Frederiksted retains its quiet Victorian charms, relaxed lifestyle, and is impressively lacking in a retail shopping zone. The Frederiksted Pier and the west end reefs remain a tropical scuba diving destination along with the calm waters and many expansive beaches. There are several restaurants, beach bars, a few water sports companies (N2theBlue Scuba Diving, Freedom City Surf Shop, and WestEnd Water Sports), and one cafe (Polly's at the Pier). Retail is limited but opens and livens up when a ship comes to port.
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[hide]History[edit]
The town was destroyed by a labor revolt (known as "The Fireburn" because arson was utilized as a means of revolt) in October 1878, which was led by four Crucianfemale laborers. Frederiksted was later restored during the Victorian era, as reflected in the town's architecture.
Modern Frederiksted operates at a slower pace than Christiansted, except for carnival in January and whenever cruise ships dock in Frederiksted's deepwater port. In recent years successful redevelopment efforts have begun to restore and revitalize this National Historic Site. The 2000 census population of the town was 732, and that of the larger sub-district was 3,767.[6]
Things to do[edit]
 | This section is written like a travel guide rather than an encyclopedic description of the subject. (August 2015) |
Scuba diving in Frederiksted is ideal and rated one of the best dive sites in the Virgin Islands.[7][8] Calm waters and shore entry make this side of the island a destination for scuba with warm waters and more dive sites than most of the island combined, featuring the Pier, wrecks, reef, seahorses, and underwater archaeology.[9] The Pier in Frederiksted is considered the best night dive in the Caribbean.[10] The Frederiksted Pier is a world-class destination for scuba, snorkelling, and just plain jumping off to climb up and jump again.[11][12] Scuba on the Frederiksted Pier is a shallow dive, ideal for trying scuba the first time course PADI Discover Scuba Diving (aka: Resort Diving), for extended shore diving, Night diving, and especially for Underwater photography[13]—rated one of the best dives in the territory.[7][8] The only dive shop in Frederiksted is N2theBlue Scuba Diving.[14][15][16][17][18]
Jazz in the Park is featured every third Friday of the month from 5:30-7:30pm.[19] Admission is free as this is a community sponsored event featuring food and drinks.
Carnival is the biggest event of the year starting in late December and ending the first weekend of the New Year. The event startes with the construction of Carnival Village, which is the traditional county fair. The last weekend hosts the largest parties with J'ouvert at the crack of dawn, followed the next day with the Food Fair. The first Friday is the Children's Parade and the blowout event is the Adult Parade with its full festival status.
Paddleboarding is very popular with the calm waters on the Frederiksted side of the island. Weekly events for night boarding and general competitions are hosted by Freedom City Surf Shop,[20] as well as the internationally recognized Coconut Cup.[21]
Both Personal water craft and Flyboard activities[22] are one mile north of Frederiksted town (about 15-20 minute walk) at Rainbow Beach.[23] The local bar (Rhythms at Rainbow Beach[24]) has award winning bar tenders[25] (espcially the Painkiller (cocktail)) and is host to Reef Jam,[26] an event encouraging marine conservation and stewardship through community education and outreach.
Calendar of events are easily accessible from a locally printed magazine and a variety of online resources.
- Printed Magazine: St. Croix This Week — printed magazine available online and found in print, free, island-wide
- Website of events: St. Croix Calendar — most used for immediate events, including Crab Races
- Website of events: GoTo St. Croix — includes local places for yoga, dancing
- Website of events: St. Croix Explorer
- Website of events: Visit USVI — out of date as of 2015. Still shows 2014 events.
Points of interest[edit]
Frederiksted maintains its original seven street by seven street city design and is host to several historic structures. Among them are St. Patrick's Catholic Church built in the 1840s and its primary school, the Customs House, the 19th Century Apothecary, and many other buildings; some which due to hurricanes past have fallen into ruins.
- Sunset Jazz—every 3rd Friday of the month[32]
- Live music most weekend nights: Blue Moon, The Pink Spot, Terres Veho, Rhythms at Rainbow Beach
- Crucian Christmas Festival is celebrated on St. Croix throughout late December and early January
- The Frederiksted Pier—0.29 miles long and a very popular location for scuba and snorkeling
- A Taste of St. Croix—every April, one of the destinations for this weeklong event is on the Frederiksted Pier
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church (c.1840)
- Customs House c(.1800)
- Paul E. Joseph Stadium multi-use stadium hosted the first MLB exhibition game played in the Virgin Islands when the New York Yankees played the Boston Red Sox 1967
- Fort Frederik c.1756
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge One of the top beaches in the US Virgin Islands and location for the last scene from the movie Shawshank Redemption [33]
In Media[edit]
Movies:
- 1994 The Shawshank Redemption
- 1986 Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story [34]
- 1983 Trading Places
- 1977 The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977 film)
Tourism promotion video:
Music:
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