Estate Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill is estate 25 in St. Croix’s Queen’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 inscription on the main entrance keystone says LM S ANoC 1778. Since the windmill appears on earlier map, this likely does not indicate a construction date. The windmill tower is in good condition.

The 1750 map indicates sugar cultivation with structures including an animal mill in estate 25. The first Beck printing had an animal mill and the second changed it to a windmill. The windmill appears on the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies through the 1770s. With these dates for a windmill existing here, the inscription on the main entrance keystone likely does not represent a construction date: LMS ANoC. 1778.

The 1799 Oxholm map shows a windmill as does the 1856 Parsons map. All the 20th-century topographic maps show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Concordia.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to James Hughes. Hughes must have died by 1766, since his widow appears as owner on the 1760s maps, with the 1770 maps attributing ownership to Friis Eilschow. By 1790 ownership transitioned to General Schimelman.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.58) provides location information and early ownership information for the Widow Hughes.

Photos of Constitution Hill, 2020s

Windmill tower obscured by palm trees under a blue sky. A large copper pot sits in a landscaped area in the foreground.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the north featuring the machine slot.
Portion of windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, which is filled with a different type of stone and mortar than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill. A few plants grow from the side and top of the mill.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the west featuring the main entrance.
Windmill tower closeup of raised keystone over arched opening with the inscription L.M.S. Ano C. 1778.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the west with a close up of the inscription on the keystone of the main entrance. The inscription is L.M.S. Ano C. 1778, a date after which this windmill appeared on historic maps.
Windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, which is filled with a different type of stone and mortar than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill. A few plants grow from the side and top of the mill.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the southwest featuring the main entrance.
Portion of windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, which is filled with a different type of stone and mortar than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill. A few plants grow from the side and top of the mill.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the southwest featuring the main entrance.
Sidelong view of windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, which is filled with a different type of stone and mortar than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill. A few plants grow from the side and top of the mill.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the southwest featuring the juice trough opening. Notice the flared stones at the base of the windmill to accentuate the foundation.
Portion of windmill tower with dark grey rectangular cut stones punctuated by white mortar. Vegetation obscures part of the windmill at the bottom and a tree stands to the left.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the east featuring the construction material. The stones get smaller higher up on the tower, while keeping the same rectangular pattern. Notice the right angles at the corners of each stone. The east face of the tower is darker that the west face, indicating a difference in weathering.
Windmill tower framed by palm fronds. Machine slot centered in image, and this opening was blocked up when the mill was converted to store water.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the north featuring the machine slot.
Windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, which is filled with a different type of stone and mortar than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill. The top of the arched opening reaches within a couple of feet to the top of the tower.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the north featuring the machine slot. Notice the intentional pattern of the stones lining the opening, with a shorter stone then a longer stone. The east face of the tower is darker that the west face, indicating a difference in weathering.
Top portion of windmill tower with the arched top of the narrow machine slot opening centered. The top of the keystone is only a couple of feet from the top of the masonry tower.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the north with a close up of the machine slot. Notice the raised keystone of the arch and how close the top of the opening is to the top of the windmill tower.
Portion of windmill tower with blocked up arched opening, for which the finish is covered with mortar rather than the cut stone block evident on the rest of the mill.
Constitution Hill windmill exterior from the northwest with a close up of the bagasse opening. Notice the pipes at the bottom that would drain the water from the mill.

Historic Maps of Constitution Hill

the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Constitution Hill.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1919 USCGS topographic sheet shows Mill (and chimney) on the east side of Constitution Hill.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Constitution Hill.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at the end of the road at Constitution Hill.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on a ridge with other structures to the northeast in the southwest corner of Constitution hill.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estate 25 to General Schimelman.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a sugar mill but attributes no ownership in the area of Constitution Hill.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies depict a windmill in Queen’s Quarter estate 25, with an animal mill to the east in Company’s Quarter estate 7. These maps attribute ownership to James Hely Hughes widow & heirs except the 1770 and c.1770 annotated maps that attribute ownership to Friis Eilschow.
Snippet of the c1757 Beck map featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The second Beck printing changed it to a windmill in the center of estate 25.
Snippet of the 1754 Beck map featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The first Beck printing had an animal mill in the center of estate 25.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures including an animal mill in estate 25. Ownership attributed to James Hughes.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 25, currently named Constitution Hill.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Constitution Hill.