Estate Morningstar

Morningstar is estate 9 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 windmill tower is in good condition.

Signs of sugar cultivation initially appear on the second Beck printing in the mid-1750s with a windmill in estate 9. A windmill appears on the maps in the 1760s and 1770s.

The 1799 Oxholm map shows a windmill at Morning star. The 1856 Parsons map also shows a windmill. All the 20th-century topographic maps show a structure identifiable as a windmill at Morningstar.

In the 1760s, maps attributed ownership to Henry Ryan. From 1770 to 1791, ownership attributed to William McDougall.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.130) locates a mill on 160-foot hill, ¼ mile southeast of Concordia Creek.

Historic Maps of Morningstar

the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Morningstar.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1921 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1921 USCGS topographic sheet includes ruins but nothing identifiable as a windmill at Morning Star.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1919 USCGS topographic sheet that includes Christiansted shows icon of Stone fanmill with no fan plus Chimney on the north side of Morning Star.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Morning Star.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill with other structures to the west in the northeast quadrant of Morningstar.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on a ridge to the west of the road with other structures to the south in the northeast quadrant of Morning star.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estate 9 to William McDougall.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but no sugar mill and attributes ownership to H Ryan od Morgenstern in the area of Morningstar.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
All the annotated Beck maps and both manuscript copies include a windmill in estate 9. The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies attribute ownership to Henry Ryan (together with Queen’s Quarter estate 4) except the 1770 annotated Beck map that attributes ownership to McDugal.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The first Beck printing had no sugar mill icon, and the second printing added a windmill to the south of the road in the north side of estate 9.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates no cultivation in estate 9. No ownership attributed.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 9, currently named Morningstar.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Morningstar.