Estate Ruans Bay

Ruans Bay is estate 14 in St. Croix’s West End Quarter that may or may not have had a windmill. Ownership attributed to Gert Rouan on the 1750 map suggests the genesis of the estate name very early in Danish settlement. A windmill at the center of the estate on the 1856 Parsons map is the only indication on maps. Other maps place an animal mill further south. Field reconnaissance failed to locate any ruins identifiable as a windmill.

The estate now known as Ruans Bay does not appear to have been settled during the French period. The 1750 map indicates cotton cultivation on the center part of the estate. The first printed Beck map of the 1750s depict no sugar machinery in estate 14, while the second Beck printing adds an animal mill.

The estate now known as Ruans Bay does not appear to have been settled during the French period. The 1750 map indicates cotton cultivation on the center part of the estate. The first printed Beck map of the 1750s depict no sugar machinery in estate 14, while the second Beck printing adds an animal mill.

All of the annotated Beck maps along with both manuscript copies from the 1760s include an animal mill in the southern portion of estate 14. Oxholm’s 1799 map depicts an animal mill in the southern extreme of Rowans, which actually falls within estate 16, with a few structures some distance to the north. Parsons map of 1856 depicts a windmill with structrues to the west and south in the center of the estate at Ruans.

Ownership attribution on the 1750 map to Gert Rouan suggests the genesis of this estate’s name. The annotated Beck maps from the 1760s along with both manuscript copies attribute ownership to Gosling, either John or George. The 1790s manuscript copies of Beck attribute ownership to Gosling.

The 1920s topographic map locates several structures but no windmill at Ruan Bay. The 1958 and 1982 topographic maps indicate no historic structures or ruins at Ruan Bay.

As the McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p. 160-161) describes, a well was found in the pastureland of the old estate in the 1920s.

All of the annotated Beck maps along with both manuscript copies from the 1760s include an animal mill in the southern portion of estate 14. Oxholm’s 1799 map depicts an animal mill in the southern extreme of Rowans, which actually falls within estate 16, with a few structures some distance to the north. Parsons map of 1856 depicts a windmill with structrues to the west and south in the center of the estate at Ruans.

Ownership attribution on the 1750 map to Gert Rouan suggests the genesis of this estate’s name. The annotated Beck maps from the 1760s along with both manuscript copies attribute ownership to Gosling, either John or George. The 1790s manuscript copies of Beck attribute ownership to Gosling.

The 1920s topographic map locates several structures but no windmill at Ruan Bay. The 1958 and 1982 topographic maps indicate no historic structures or ruins at Ruan Bay.

As the McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p. 160-161) describes, a well was found in the pastureland of the old estate in the 1920s.

Historic Maps of Ruans Bay