Christiansted: History, Culture and Waterfront

Christiansted’s Danish colonial heritage is visible in the townscape: its architecture and street names still recall that past. The town was founded in 1734, when Governor Frederick Moth led a group of settlers to the site of a former French camp. If you enjoy exploring history in specific places, you’ll find historic buildings and cultural points of interest here. The seven-acre Christiansted National Historic Site is located in the waterfront and Christiansted wharf area.

Historic Site on the Waterfront and at the Wharf

The Christiansted National Historic Site includes Fort Christiansvaern, the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse, the Steeple Building, the Danish Custom House and the Scale House. You can picnic, stroll or sit on a bench on the grounds. Self-guided tours take you through Fort Christiansvaern, the Steeple Building and the Scale House; brochures are available for the latter two buildings. Ranger-led tours are also offered. If you’re planning to join one, it’s a good idea to check the current schedule.

Fort Christiansvaern and a Changing History

Fort Christiansvaern is the largest structure at the historic site and one of the best-preserved colonial forts in the Caribbean. Its history spans Danish rule, the growth of the sugar economy, emancipation and labor reforms, and the transfer of the Virgin Islands to the United States in 1917. As you explore the buildings, you’ll encounter not only a fort but also the political and economic changes that shaped Christiansted.

The Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse also tells a story of trade and colonial history. The complex was completed in 1749 and built by enslaved Africans who belonged to the Company. In the 18th and 19th centuries, all goods brought to Christiansted were inspected and taxed there. The Danish Customs House was built between 1840 and 1842 on the site of an earlier complex for the slave and sugar trade. Later, from 1926 to 1972, it served as the first public library in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Church History and Other Historic Sites

The Steeple Building was built between 1751 and 1755 and originally consecrated as the Lutheran Church of Lord God of Sabaoth. From 1753, it housed Christiansted’s first congregation. After it was deconsecrated in 1831, the building served as a hospital, school, courthouse, fire station, town hall and government offices. The Steeple Building is also listed as a viewpoint and photo spot. The Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church was built around 1740 and is considered the oldest surviving church on St. Croix.

Another historical point of interest is Hamilton House, the home where Alexander Hamilton spent part of his childhood. Apothecary Hall is a historic Danish pharmacy that has been converted into a museum; it is described as the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Together with the buildings at the National Historic Site, these places offer different ways to explore Christiansted’s history.

Jump Up: Music, Dancing and Local Food

Jump Up takes place four times a year in Christiansted. The carnival-like cultural event unfolds in the streets and along the waterfront promenade. Steel drum bands and live musicians perform while Mocko Jumbies, the stilt walkers, dance in the streets. Street vendors offer food, drinks, crafts and handmade jewelry. At Jump Up, you can sample local food and listen to Caribbean music. Check the current event dates before planning your trip.

Plan Your Stay in Christiansted

When choosing a vacation rental in Christiansted, consider what you want your trip to focus on: the historic buildings around the waterfront and wharf, or a stay planned around a Jump Up date. The event takes place in Christiansted, so your plans will also depend on the current dates. This makes it easier to choose a location for your accommodation based on the experiences you want to prioritize.

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Go to the main travel overview: St Croix.