Estate Spanish Town

Spanish Town is estate 29 in St. Croix’s King’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1760s. The windmill has been reduced to a foundation.

The 1750 map indicates no cultivation in estate 29. While the first Beck printing does not depict a sugar manufacturing icon, the second printing includes an animal mill. All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies include a windmill, except the 1770 annotated map that only added landowner names.

The 1799 Oxholm map includes a windmill in the northern half of estate 29, naming it Spanish Town. The mill sits near the end of a road coming from the north. The 1856 Parsons map includes a windmill in the same relative location with the road. Immediately west of the windmill is a square flanked by two structures on either side.

None of the 20th century topographic maps include ruins identifiable as a windmill. Fieldwork found a foundation of a windmill along with several other ruins in the area.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to Abraham Markue, a likely spelling variant. All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies attribute ownership to Abraham Markoe, as do the early 1790s maps.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.182) notes the estate in woodland in pasture in the 1920s, with buildings 1,200 yards from Krause Lagoon. McGuire attributes ownership in 1851 to the Tinling sugar estates with neighboring Anguilla and other properties.

Historic Maps of Spanish Town

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The 1958 & 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins but nothing identifiable as a windmill at Spanish Town.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The 1921 USGS topographic map shows ruins and a fanmill at Spanish Town but nothing identifiable as a windmill.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Spanish Town.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at Spanish Town.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Spanish Town.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to A. Markoe.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement near Spanish Town with no ownership attribution.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies of Beck converted the animal mill in estate 29 from the printed map into a windmill, except the 1770 annotated map that only added landowner names. All the maps attribute ownership to Abraham Markoe, with some spelling variation.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The first Beck printing does not indicate an animal mill in estate 29 while the second printing does.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
The 1750 map indicates no cultivation at estate 29. Ownership attributed to Abraham Markue.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring King's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Spanish Town.
During the French period, a settlement named Boldric is indicated near Spanish Town.