|
St. John, the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin
Islands, retains a tranquil, unspoiled beauty uncommon in the Caribbean or
anywhere else in the world. Settled in the early 1700s by Danish immigrants
attracted to the island's potential as a sugar cane-producing colony, St. John
soon blossomed into a thriving society. The ruins of the
Annaberg Sugar
Plantation
and other smaller plantations on the island attest to the island's agricultural
history.
The extensive sugar cane farming, however, did little to affect the natural
beauty of St. John. Its unspoiled forests and stunning beaches attracted the
attention of wealthy families such as the Rockefellers, who sought privacy and
tranquility on the island. In 1956, Laurance Rockefeller was so moved by the
island that he bought and donated broad expanses of land to the National Park
Service to keep St. John "a thing of joy forever."
Today, two-thirds of St. John is part of the
Virgin Islands National Park,
featuring fascinating trails, secluded coves, and dazzling white beaches. The
Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through dense forests, plantation ruins, and rock
outcroppings marked by well-preserved petroglyphs.
Trunk Bay,
Hawksnest Bay, Cinnamon Bay,
and Maho Bay are just four of the dozens of beaches.
Cruz Bay,
the center of activity on St. John, contains colorful shops, lively bars, and
fabulous restaurants. Discover
more... USVI Tourism. |
