Estate Nicholas

Nicholas is estate 25 in St. Croix’s Northside A Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. The windmill is in good condition.

Historic maps show no occupation through 1750. An animal mill depicted on the second Beck mill printing appears on all the maps based on this printing, indicating construction by the mid-1750s. The 1766 annotated map and the two manuscript copies all include an animal mill as well.

The 1799 Oxholm and 1856 Parsons maps both locate a windmill at Nicolas and Nicholas, respectively. The 20th-century topographic maps include an icon identifiable as a windmill.

Combined with estate 34, estate 25 on the annotated Beck maps attribute ownership to Patrick Byrne, with the exception of the 1766 annotated map and the two manuscript copies, all of which attribute ownership to Andres Langus. Ownership transitioned to Ferrals heirs by 1790.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.136) locates a Mill 725 yards northeast of Mount Washington.

Photos of Nicholas, 2020s

Windmill tower with the main entrance to the right and machine slot to the left. The tower has a horizontal band about half way up and the masonry above this band has more grout between the exterior fieldstones than the masonry below the band.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the northwest featuring the main entrance.
Windmill tower looking directly at the main entrance. The tower has a horizontal band about half way up and the masonry above this band has more grout between the exterior fieldstones than the masonry below the band.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the west featuring the main entrance.
Windmill tower with the main entrance to the right and machine slot to the left. The tower has a horizontal band about half way up and the masonry above this band has more grout between the exterior fieldstones than the masonry below the band.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the northwest featuring the main entrance.
Windmill tower with three arched openings.
Windmill tower looking directly at the main entrance. The tower has a horizontal band about half way up and the masonry above this band has more grout between the exterior fieldstones than the masonry below the band.
Three arched openings from the interior of the windmill.
Nicholas windmill interior facing southwest featuring the juice trough opening.
Windmill tower with two arched openings.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the southwest featuring the bagasse opening on the left and juice trough opening on the right.
Closeup of the narrow machine slot showing details of the trim around the opening plus the steps leading up to the mill's working floor.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the northeast with a close up of the machine slot. Notice the remnants of red plaster on the exterior, accentuating the few cut stone blocks lining the opening.
Windmill tower with the main entrance to the right and machine slot to the left. The tower has a horizontal band about half way up and the masonry above this band has more grout between the exterior fieldstones than the masonry below the band.
Nicholas windmill exterior from the north featuring the machine slot and the main entrance to the right. Notice the change in finish above and below the decorative horizontal stripe.
Closeup of interior mill wall illustrating where a large amount of stone fell off the wall.
Nicholas windmill interior facing west with a close up of deterioration on the interior wall.
Circle of blue sky surrounded by the mill wall and the very top of the machine slot. Two beams frame the image, moving away from the viewer.
Nicholas windmill interior facing north looking upward through the top of the machine slot. Notice the two beams placed into the slots where the beams held the crushing rollers in place.

Historic Maps of Nicholas

Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1982 featuring Northside A quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The 1982 USGS topographic map shows ruins identifiable as a windmill at Nicholas.
Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1958 featuring Northside A quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The 1958 USGS topographic map shows ruins identifiable as a windmill at Nicholas.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The 1920 USCGS topographic map shows the Nicholas Mill with structures to the west.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Nicholas.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill with other structures to the north at Nicholas.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and its 1820 revision show a windmill at Nicolas.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Northside A quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Nicolas.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen, respectively, attribute ownership to Ferrals heirs.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement in the area of Nicholas.
Snippets of the annotated Beck maps made in 1767 to 1770 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
On the 1766 annotated and the manuscript copies of the Beck map, an animal mill is hand drawn in estate 25. These maps attribute ownership, combined with estate 34, to Andres Langus with a variety of spellings.
Snippets of the annotated Beck map plus the 2 manuscript copies made in 1766 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
On the 1767, c.1767, 1770, and c.1770 annotaed Beck maps, an animal mill is depicted in estate 25, the same as the second printing of the Beck map. These maps attibute ownership, combined with estate 34, to Patrick Byrne with a variety of spellings.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
The first printing of the Beck map shows now sugar machinery, but the second printing shows an animal mill.
The 1750 map shows no settlement near Nicholas.
The 1750 map indicates no cultivation and attributes no ownership.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Northside A Quarter estate # 25, currently named Nicholas.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Nicholas.