Estate Clearmont

Clearmont includes estates 3, 4, 8, & 9 in St. Croix’s Northside B Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. Clearmont was likely named for sweeping views to the north the location affords. The windmill was incorporated into a dwelling and is in good condition.

Clearmont reflects the delay that remoteness and rugged terrain caused in the settlement and development of sugar cultivation. No settlement is indicated through the 1750s. In the 1760s, all of the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies of the Beck map indicate no sugar machinery and attribute ownership to Laurence Bodkin.

By 1790, ownership transitioned to Nugent. A windmill appears on the 1799 Oxholm map at Clearmont along with the 1856 Parsons map at Claremont. The 20th century topographic maps indicate windmill ruins at 535 feet elevation at Clearmont or Clairmont, depending on the map.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.56) notes the definition of the French Clairmont as clear mount, suggestive of the sweeping views to the north from this location. Also notes the estate sometimes called Bodkin’s Plantage in reference to the original owner in the Danish period, not to be confused with Estate Bodkin in Northside A quarter.

Photos of Clearmont, 2020s

Clearmont windmill exterior from the northwest featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the northwest featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the north featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the north featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the north featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the north featuring the juice trough opening.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the east.
Clearmont windmill exterior from the east.

Historic Maps of Clearmont

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
The 1958 and its 1982 photorevision USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Clairmont.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
The 1921 USGS topographic map shows an old mill tower at Claremont with an elevation of 535 feet.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
The 1907 map indicates no settlement near Clearmont.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at Claremont.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Clearmont.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to Nugent.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but not a sugar mill.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
All 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies all consistently omit any sugar manufacturing icons. All attribute ownership to Laurence Bodkin.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
Neither of the Beck map printings indicates sugar machinery in Clearmont estate.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
By 1750, no settlement is indicated near Clearmont estate.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring estates # 3-4-8-9, currently named Clearmont.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Clearmont estate.