Our Danish Connection

The Scandinavian country of Denmark was among the European contenders for ownership of Caribbean islands and acquired St. Thomas in 1660, St. John in 1718, and St. Croix, purchased from France in 1733. (See page 48 for historical details.)

Denmark left its mark here in many ways that have contributed to a close relationship between Danes and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the 1917 Transfer, bringing thousands of Danish visitors. Examples of this closeness are:

• The handsome, still functioning 18th and 19th century architecture – official, commercial and private, built of Danish brick brought as ship ballast.

• Ruins of many plantation structures that once produced sugar and rum, particularly former windmills that ground sugar cane.

• The presence of four churches of the Danish Lutheran denomination, with special sections for Danish gravesites in two old cemeteries.

• Many African heritage and mixed blood families carrying Danish last names, even the use of historic Danish first names for Crucian children.

• A Friends of Denmark organization that enjoys exchange-visit festivals with its sister society in Denmark, the Danish West Indian Society.

• Access on the internet to over 5 million documents in the Danish archives relevant to the Danish West Indies, as our islands were called.

• A friendly Crucian population that welcomes and looks out for visiting Danes. If you happen to be a visiting Dane, we bid you Velkommen!