ST. JOHN, US Virgin Islands — The windmill at Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins stands on the north shore of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. This 18th-century plantation, which once produced sugar, molasses, and rum, occupied about 518 acres of steep land. The main buildings, including this windmill, are situated on a small headland near Maho Bay, overlooking Mary Point.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins, located within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, USVI, offer a compelling glimpse into the island's colonial past. Established in the early 18th century during Danish rule, Annaberg was one of the largest sugar producers on St. John. The plantation's name, meaning "Anna's Hill" in Danish, is believed to honor Anna Heegaard, the companion of Governor Peter von Scholten. At its peak, the plantation covered 518 acres, employing hundreds of enslaved Africans to cultivate and process sugarcane. The windmill, a prominent feature of the ruins, played a crucial role in grinding sugarcane. Its stone construction demonstrates the durability required to withstand tropical weather conditions. Other surviving structures include the boiling house, where cane juice was processed into sugar, and the rum still. The plantation's strategic location on a headland near Maho Bay provided an advantageous position for monitoring approaching ships and overseeing the surrounding land. Today, the Annaberg ruins serve as an open-air museum, managed by the National Park Service. Interpretive signs throughout the site offer visitors insights into sugar production methods, the harsh realities of plantation life, and the impact of slavery on the island's history. The ruins also provide panoramic views of the surrounding Caribbean Sea, including nearby British Virgin Islands. Annaberg's preservation allows visitors to connect with St. John's complex past while appreciating the natural beauty that has reclaimed much of the former plantation landscape.
Size: 4290px × 2849px
Location: Annaberg Sugar Plantation, St John, US Virgin Islands, United States of America
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: abandoned, annaberg, beach, building, caribbean, colonial, destination, heritage, historic, history, island, islands, john, national, park, plantation, ruins, saint, slavery, st., states, stone, sugar, travel, tropical, united, usvi, virgin, windmill
