Estate Bellevue

Bellevue is estate 35 in St. Croix’s Company’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1760s and decommissioned before 1856. The estate was likely named for the beautiful views to the north and east. The windmill tower is in good condition.

The first sign of sugar cultivation in estate 35 on historic maps is the second printing of the Beck map in the mid-1750s. The annotated and manuscript copies of Beck added sails to depict a windmill by 1766.

The 1778 and 1799 Oxholm maps both depict a windmill, with the 1778 map also including an animal mill while naming it Bella Vue and the 1799 map naming the estate belle vue. The 1778 map locates other structures down the hill to the northeast. The 1856 Parsons map depicts a tower without sails at Belle Vue.

The 1919 topographic sheet notes a ruin identifiable as a windmill at Bellbue. The later topographic maps also depict ruins identifiable as a windmill at the top of the ridge.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to Feret. The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies in the 1760s and 1770s attribute ownership to Capt. Joh. Wilhelm Schopen or his heirs. By 1790, ownership transitioned to Rogeirs.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.33) notes mill near summit of Bellevue Hill (noting that elevation 466 feet high) with the estate house NE at 220-feet elevation, nearer roads.

Historic Maps of Bellevue

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Bellevue.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1919 USCGS topographic sheet shows BELLBUE (Stone fanmill with no fan icon) in the northeast quadrant of Bellvue.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Belle Vue.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a tower with no sails on a ridge at Belle Vue.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on a ridge in the northeast quadrant of belle vue.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estate 35 to Rogeirs.
Snippet of Oxholm's 1778 map of Christiansted featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1778 Oxholm map shows a windmill on a ridge above other structures to the east including an animal mill and a village, all in the northeast quadrant of Belle Vue. Ownership not attributed.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but no sugar mill and attributes no ownership in the area of Bellevue.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies added sails to the animal mill to depict a windmill, with the exception of the 1770 annotated map that only added ownership names. Ownership attributed to Capt John Wilhelm Schopen or his heirs on all these maps.
Snippet of the c1757 Beck mapfeaturing Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The first Beck printing had no sugar mill icon, and the second printing added an animal mill in the center of estate 35.
Snippet of the 1754 Beck map featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The first Beck printing had no sugar mill icon, and the second printing added an animal mill in the center of estate 35.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates provision cultivation and no structures in estate 35. Ownership attributed to Feret.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Company's Quarter estate # 35, currently named Bellevue.
During the French period, ownership in the Bellevue area is attributed to Breton.