Estate Sion Hill

Sion Hill includes estates 22 & 23 in St. Croix’s Queen’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1750s in estate 23. The inscription on the main entrance keystone says 1757, a potential construction date. The windmill tower is in good condition.

The 1750 map indicates sugar cultivation and an animal mill near the border between estates 22 & 23. The first Beck printing had an animal mill in estate 23 but the second printing rubbed it out, replacing it with a windmill in estate 22.

The 1799 Oxholm map shows a windmill at Sion Hill on the border between estates 22 &23. The 1856 Parsons map shows a windmill at elevation 332 feet. All the 20th-century topographic maps show a structure identifiable as a windmill at Sion Hill close to the border between estates 22 & 23.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to the Reformed Church for estates 22 & 23. The maps from 1766 to 1791 attribute ownership of estates 22 & 23 to Bradshaw.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.178) provides location and early ownership information.

Historic Maps of Sion Hill

Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Sion Hill.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1919 USCGS topographic sheet shows icon of Stone fanmill with no fan plus Chimney on the east edge of Sion Hill.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1907 map identifies no estate at Sion Hill.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at elevation 332 feet with other structures to the south in the east edge of Sion Hill.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on the west end of a ridge to the west of the road on the border line between estates 22 & 23.
Snippet of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estates 22 & 23 to Bradshaw.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a sugar mill and attributes ownership to Bradshaw in the area of Sion Hill.
Snippet of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The annotated maps and manuscript copies depict a windmill in estate 22, except the 1766 annotated map that adds sails to the animal mill to depict a windmill in estate 23. All these maps attribute ownership to John Bradshaw.
Snippet of the c1757 Beck map featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The first Beck printing had no sugar mill icon, and the second printing added a windmill in the east side of estate 22. The first Beck printing had an animal mill, but the second printing rubbed it out in the west edge of estate 23.
Snippet of the 1754 Beck map featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The first Beck printing had no sugar mill icon, and the second printing added a windmill in the east side of estate 22. The first Beck printing had an animal mill, but the second printing rubbed it out in the west edge of estate 23.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures including an animal mill in estates 22 & 23. Ownership attributed to De Reformette Kirchen (the Reformed Church) for estate 22 and William Thomas for estate 23.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Queen's Quarter estates # 22-23, currently named Sion Hill.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Sion Hill.