Estate Plessen

Plessen is estate 29 in St. Croix’s Prince’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1750s. The windmill was blocked to store water after decommissioning. The estate was likely named for His Excellence von Plessen, one of the early owners of the estate. The windmill tower is in good condition.

Sugar cultivation arrived relatively early at Plessen, with sugar cultivation and an animal mill on the 1750 map. By the second Beck printing, the animal mill was transformed into a windmill. The 1799 Oxholm map includes a windmill. The 1856 Parsons map includes the windmill along with a tower without sails. All the 20th century topographic maps include ruins identifiable as a windmill.

The 1756 map attributed ownership to His Excellence von Plessen, from who the estate likely received its name. All the Beck variants maps of the 1760s and 1770s attribute ownership to William Ryan’s heirs. By 1790 ownership transitioned to Kortright.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.147) notes that in the 1920s producing sugar cane, provisions, and pasturage.

Historic Maps of Plessen

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Plessen.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The 1920 USCGS topographic sheet shows the Plessen Mill just north of the Plessen Chimney at Plessen. A well lies to the west and other structures lie to the south.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Plessen.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at elevation 117 feet at the end of the road coming from the south at Plessen. A tower without sails sits to the southwest.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Plessen.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to Kortright.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a sugar mill and attributes ownership to Lakners Grab or dig in the area of Plessen.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies retain the printed windmill, except the 1766 annotated copy that added sails to the animal mill. All these maps attribute ownership to William Ryan’s heirs, with some spelling variation.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The first Beck printing shows an animal mill and the second Beck printing converts that to a windmill in the northwest corner of estate 29.
Snippet of the c1757 Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The first Beck printing shows an animal mill and the second Beck printing converts that to a windmill in the northwest corner of estate 29.
Snippet of the 1754 Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The first Beck printing shows an animal mill and the second Beck printing converts that to a windmill in the northwest corner of estate 29.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 29, currently named Plessen.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures including an animal mill in estate 29. Ownership attributed to His Excellence von Plessen.