Estate Springfield

Springfield is estate 11 in St. Croix’s Prince’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. The windmill tower is in good condition.

The 1799 Oxholm map depicts a windmill, the only indication on a historic map of a sugar mill here. The 20th century topographic maps all depict ruins identifiable as a windmill.

The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies attribute ownership to Fossey’s heirs, except the c.1770 annotated copy that attributes ownership to Thomas Smitt and Jonathan Lord. By 1790 ownership transitioned to Bourke.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.183) notes that Springfield became absorbed into Two Friends estate.

Photos of Springfield, 2020s

Windmill tower obscured by vegetation and a hill rising behind it.
Springfield windmill exterior from the north from a distance.

Historic Maps of Springfield

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Springfield.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
The 1920 USCGS topographic sheet shows ruins identifiable as a windmill at Springfield. The Springfield Mill sits at 334 feet elevation to the south of the road.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Springfield.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts no structures at Springfield.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill to the south of the stream and road at Springfield.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to Bourke.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but no sugar mill and attributes no ownership in the area of Springfield.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
None of the Beck maps include a sugar mill icon in estate 11. All these maps attribute ownership to Fossey’s heirs, with some spelling variation, except the c.1770 annotated copy that attributes ownership to Thomas Smitt and Jonathan Lord.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
Neither Beck printing shows a sugar mill icon in estate 11.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 11, currently named Springfield.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates no cultivation in and makes no ownership attribution in estate 11.