Frederiksted Pier

Frederiksted is both the town and one of the two administrative districts of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a grid-planned city, designed by surveyor Jens Beckfor, originally to 14x14 blocks but built 7x7 to enhance the island commerce in the 1700s. Frederiksted has fewer than 1,000 people in the town proper, but nearly 10,000 in the greater western side of the island. Christiansted 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 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 sole 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 take them to other points of interest across St. Croix. The other deep water port is located at the South Port which includes the tank farm of the former Hovensa oil refinery as well as Renaissance Industrial Park. The territory's legislature is also located in Frederiksted. There are also several government offices that occupy historic buildings. Briefly in the early 2000s, Frederiksted was a port for Seaborne Airlines seaplanes, which are based in the town of Christiansted. Seaplane service ended after less than one year of service due to a tropical storm damaging the port facility. Today, Frederiksted is mostly a sleepy town. In its peak month, Frederiksted receives about 15 cruise ships , and it receives 0-2 ships over the summer months compared to St. Thomas' 3-8 ships per day in January. Frederiksted has little in the way of retail shopping. Frederiksted Pier and the west end reefs offer tropical scuba diving in with the calm waters and many expansive beaches. Adjacent to the pier are several restaurants and beach bars, a few water sports companies , and one cafe . Retail is limited but opens and livens up when a ship comes to port. Molly's tropical boutique and Franklin's gift store are near the Pier on Strand Street. On cruise ship days many vendors set up stalls near the Pier. Frederiksted is notable for a number of excellent vegan and vegetarian dining options. Uca's Kitchen, and Roots and Kulchar Cafe, , offer excellent ital meals. Lost Dog Bar on King Street, offers vegan pizza options. Polly's offers vegetarian meals including wraps. Louie and Nachos Beach Bar , offers vegan tacos and other choices. The Fred is a luxury boutique hotel and spa on Strand Street, the first new hotel to be constructed on St Croix for more than 30 years. Lyricsails offers popular sunset catamaran cruises with live entertainment that leave from Frederiksted Pier.
Continue reading...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.