A '"' ^ « 
JUL 231981
Appendix B
REEF BAY SUGAR FACTORY HISTORIC DISTRICT 
" 
;
DESCRIPTION:
Reef Bay Factory Historic District lies at the head of Reef Bay immediately be- 
hind the beach. 
In addition to the factory, the district has a horsemill, the 
remains of 3 small dwellings, a free standing bake oven, an oxpound, a cemetery 
with one marked grave and a well and drinking trough. 
Reef Bay Estate, of which 
the factory is part, came under cultivation early in the l8th century as a cattle 
and cotton plantation. About 1800 it was joined with Par Force Estate to the 
north and the combined esta" es of more than ilOO acres were devoted to the cul- 
tivation of sugar cane.
Reef Bay Factory is the best preserved of its kind in the Virgin Islands and 
has retained its coppers, flues, crystalization platform, tool racks and other 
features of the sugar manufacturing process as well as a complete mid-19th 
century steam powered cane crushing system housed in a i860 addition to the 
factory.
This addition as well as the secondary buildings of the complex are constructed 
strictly for their utilitarian purposes and little effort has been given towards 
creating an architectural impression. 
The older section of the factory, on the 
other hand, exhibits considerable evidence of preoccupation with architectural 
decoration. 
It stands on an articulated base with stucco band work at corners 
and around windows and door openings. A double band takes the place of a cornice 
and tlie space between them is divided in panels corresponding to the fenestration 
of the wall below. Acroterions define the corners of the main elements of the 
structure. 
The ornamental plaster work is carried through on the interior, and 
there are indications of a color treatment of band work as well as grooved and 
painted joints of the plaster and stucco emphasizing the architectural effect.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Reef Bay Factory Historic District is significant for its well preserved "works" 
which clearly illustrate late l8th and early 19th century sugar production prac- 
tices and for the architectural quality of its factory building.
Acreage: 
5 acres 
Latitude: 18° 19' 30"
Longitude: 6h° hh 1 1*2"
There are no UTM references on any published maps of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION:
The historic limits of the factory compound are bordered to the north and west 
by the trail from centerline road and the Reef Bay shoreline and to the south 
and east by the mangrove swamp that seperates the factory site from the higher 
land towards the northeast. The boundaries include the presence of all parts of 
the historical resource as defined by the natural barriers of the swamp and 
the sea and the historical access trail.
JUL 231981
Appendix B, Historic District
\ 
\ 
• CLASSIFIED STRUCTURI': FIELD INVi-..r>URY
,.'•' 
\ 
* 
(Atttacli A*'x5 H ii<SW Phofco)
• 
*• oJ J.ON Sbulheast
NFS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park CODE NO. 
5360
' 
STRUCTURE -NAMfl 
Horsemill, Reef Bay Estate
• 
* 
. •• i 
_ 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National II
State
STRUCTURE NO. H-13. 1 
Local
LOCATION OF STRUCTURErShoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles soutti 01 yenterjujuu 
UTM REFERENCES 
i 
Mil 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE- (if not; 
A L|_I |_|_j_I 
J 
I 
I I_1_I_1_[I 
! 
I part of a complex OTC district: 
Zone .Easting 
Northing 
-L; 
acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Earth fill platform retained by rubble stone 
walls, mill is circular in shape. •___ ___________________ 
_
Physical Description: 
j__ 
The Horsemill is a raised circular earth platform jfrmrto six feet above 
t__
-.grade with a diameter of 80' and defined by-rubble masonry retaining walls ,__ 
on all sides. A ramp leads up to the horsemill from the east. Both the 
' —— 
footings of the'original grinding mechanism and the brick gutter through 
—^~- 
which the cane juice was led to the boiling house have been preserved. In 
-7— 
addition, the mill has the steam-driven cane crushers installed in 1862. 
They a%re located to the northwest on masonry footings straddling the edge 
. ^ 
_ 
of the mill retaining wall. 
.... ,.
Latitude 18°19'30" Lonrritude 64°44'4Z"
(continue on reverse, if necessary)
PRESENT CON 
Ruins
DITION: 
Excellent
Unaltered
X
Good 
Altered
Fair \ 
\ Detc
Original Site 1 x
rioratiedl xl 
Moved I 
1
Report prepared by;
JUL 231981
Appendix B, Historic District
' -^mta(u,,*uy&
CLASSIFIED
-JCTURE FIELD INVENTORY. REPORT 
(Actacli 4nx311 li&W Pi»
REGION Southeast
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAMEVirgin Islands Nat'1 Park. , 
CODE NO.
STRUCTURE NAME? Factory, Reef Bay Estate
• 
' 
i 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National f~|
State X
STRUCTURE NO. 
Local
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE :Shoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles south of Centerline Roacl
UTM REFERENCE: 
i 
Mil
A i . n i i 
1 j i 
I LiJ_iJ.
Zone 
Easting
Northing
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE. (if not 
part of a complex or district::
acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: mastered brick and rubble masonry laid 
out in a T shape and with extensions towards the north and southwest
Physical Description; The factory is of brick and rubble masonry construction with 
stuccoed and plaster walls. The older section of the factory had a flat mnf,..^. ... 
„ addition ot the mbUs, a hipped roof. 
The oldersection of the factory is "T" ____
shaped in plan, almost identical to the illustration of the ideal factory in P. "L. 
JPxholm's book. •Over de Vestindiske dcxs_ Til stand, pnblisl-^H in nnp^nhacy 
1797. 
The stem of the T is 40'6" wide by 37' long, and contains thf> hnilincr 
with a boing bench of five "coppers" along the west wall over a flue and a
in
West of the boiling house,but within the stem of the "T". is the firing trench. 
where the furnace was stoked. The firing trench had a roof supported on arches
and square pillars. Three rectangular windows below the level of the firing trench 
roof and two circular vents in the space between the roof of the firing trench and, 
the higher roof of the boiling house allowed the steam from the boiling bench to 
escape. The boiling house is divided into two sections by a wall running north- .
south with the large arched openings. 
The eastern section, like the firing trench, 
had a slightly lower roof and houses the crystallization pans. 
Two windows and a 
door in the east wall and south wall, respectively , provided additional ventilation
'.. 
. 
. 
' 
Latitude 18 19'30" Longitude 64°44'42"
(continue on reverse if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excelle 
Ruins ( X J 
Unaltered
nt
X
Good
Altered
Fair 1 
| 
Deteriorated]
Original Site | xl Moved 1 
I
Report prepared by:
JUL ? 3 198!
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT 
(Attacir4"x5ir~B&W Photo)
REGION Southeast
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park. 
CODE NO.
1 
STRUCTURE NAME" Dwelling No. l r Far.tory R. flfif Ra.y Estate 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National ) 
] 
State
STRUCTURE NO. T-T.I
Local |x
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE; shoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles south of Centerlino Road 
U1M REFERENCE: 
| 
111 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE-(if not 
A Lj_J ||_|_I | 
I 
I_|_I_1_I 
I 
I 
I part of a complex or district: 
Zone -Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Wood structure on a masonry footing 
rectangular in shape,_________;____________________________________
Physical Description:____________________________________________
rDwelling...No.. 1 of Reef Bay Factory Site is 20' east of the factory and was a____ 
shangled two-room, one-story wood frame structure with a gable roof measuring
20'xlS'. Its date of construction is late but not determined definitely. It______ 
collapsed in I960 and only the masonry footings of its exterior -walls remain._____
• Latitudel 81013 0" Longitude 64°44'42 1
(continue on reverse, if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent
Ruins 1 X
Unaltered
X
Good 
Altered
Fair { 
\ 
Deteriorated!
Original Site 1 X 1 Moved 1 
I
Report prepared by:
AppendixB,
REGION Southeast
JUL?3I98I
strict 
*""**•• 
•'"*"*
CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY. REPORT 
(Attach~4"x5*rl5&W Photo)
ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME" Dwelling No. 2. Factory. Reef Bay Estate 
STRUCTURE ftO. H-13 r 4 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National I 
I 
State FH 
Local fx]
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE; Shoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles south of Centerline Road
UTM REFERENCE: 
j 
Mil 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE.(if not
A 
I_< 
J |_|_|_j 
J 
I 
I j_1_|_]_Iff! part of a complex or district:
Zone 
Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
iype or, and composition: Plastered rubble masonry one-story_____
rectangular._______________;_____________________________ 
Physical Description; Dwelling No. 2 of Reef Bay Factory Site is located 50' east
.of the factory and slightly south of dwelling No. 1. It is a one-story rubble 
.masonry structure with a gable roof 36' by 15' of early construction, possibly
_p re dating the factory. The'east and south wall have collapsed. 
The two remain­ 
ing walls' stand .to their full height. 
•
Latitude 18 Q 1Q'3Q" Longitude 64 44'42
(continue on reverse if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Ruins | X |
Excellent
Unaltered | X
| 
Good
Altered
Fair [ __ 
| 
Deteriorated] _ 
1 
Original Site 1 XJ Moved 1 
j
Report prepared by:
o
Appendix B,, Hi storic District
CLASSIFIES- -.YRUCTURfi F,
REGION Southeast
• 'JRY REPORT
>; 
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands _Nat'l Park 
CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME" Dwelling No. 3. Factory.Reef Bay Estate 
STRUCTURE NO. H-13., 5.
* 
i 
' 
• 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National || 
State |1 
Local f"x"
LUUA.iiUiN ur biKuuiutv.£,: bnoreline ol Keel .ttay i :>/**
UTM REFERENCE: 
i 
111
A 
I . TI I 
i 
I 
J 
i 
I 
i 
I 
i l.i !
Zone 
Easting 
Northing
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE-(if not 
part of a complex or district
acres,
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Rubble masonry, one-story rectangular in
shape 
. r__________________
Physical Description:____________________________________________ 
Dwelling No. 3 of Reef Bay Factory site is located about 50 yards south oast..of. live 
factory and 20 yards east of the horsemill.' It is a single room rubblo mnsnnry. 
structure with a gable roof. ' It measures IQ'xlS' and the walls arc; only.
Latitude 18 U 19'30" Longitude 64"44'42"
(continue on reve rse. i fnecc ssary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent 
Ruins |X"1 
Unaltered 
T
Good
Altered
Fair [ 
] Detcrioratedl_ I 
Original Site j Xj Moved 1 
i
Renort Dreoared bv:
JUL 23 i98!
Appendix B, Hi
CLASS IL- OLD r/r.RllCTURK V'J'.ELD ItWto'^ORY REPORT
S1 ' 1J&W
Attac
NFS ORGANIZATION
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park CODE NO. 5360 _.,
REGION 
Southeast
' 
STRUCTURE NAME" Bake .Oven. Factory. Reef Bav Estate _____ STRUCTURE NO.
• 
' 
i 
• 
• 
, 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National fl 
State f~l 
Local
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE: Shoreline of Reef Bay 1 e/r miles south of .Centerline Road, 
UTM REFERENCE: 
j 
111! 
i 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE,(if not 
A |_|_I |_|_{_| 
] || I_1_I_]_[ 
j 
I 
I part of a complex or district: 
Zone 
Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE;
Type of, and composition:
_ square in s
Plastered rubble and brick masonry.
Physical Description; A free standing bake oven is located approximately 30 font. 
south of dwelling No. 2. 
It is 5 by 5 feet square and is constructed, in
jrubfr],ejrrxasonry wj.th brick lining Q£ openings^Jb.akinff r-bambor anr) a«b .bny,...,. T-n. 
design it conforms to the standard design of the smaller bake ovens found in the
Virgin Islands. • It has no flue. 
Combustion was fed by the draft through thn ash 
pit at ground level and smoke and gases produced in the burning of the fuel____ 
^escaped through the feed door to the baking^chamber. 
Onr.p t.hn pntir^ .ma 
rmass had acquired the desired heat the baking chamber was raked out and
products to be baked placed in the chamber. 
To prevent rapid dissipitation of 
heat, doors were placed over both the openings to the baking chamber and the 
rake out opening of the ash nit. 
_____________________
Latitude 18°19'30" Longitude 64°44'42 j
(continue on reverse if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
i —— 
i 
R\iins | __ 
1
Excelle 
Unaltered
nt
X
| 
Good
Altered
Fair] 
| 
Detcrioratedl X
Original Site fx 1 Moved | 
|
Report prepared by: 
,
Appendix B, HistofltrWstrict
' 
' 
' CIASSII'T/ 
STRUC'jLJRg )•'. 
.
'
_ __ ,^TORY U12PORT
11 ^W Pir<it53
'NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands. Nat'1 Park 
CODE NO.
REG ION Southeast____
STRUCTURE NAME Oxpound, Factory, Reef Bay Estate______ STRUCTURE NO. H-13 f 7
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National I| 
_State | 
1
Local fx"
. 
I
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:Shoreline of Reef Bay, 1 3/4 miles south of Centcrline Road
UTM REFERENCE:
A LiJ LL-i-
Zone . East
J 
|
ing
| 
] 
I 
I 
I _ 
1 _ 
I _ 
1 
[ 
j 
II
Northing
CLASS Vl LAND ACREAGE' (if not 
part of a .complex or district:
acres.
STRUCTURE;, 
Type of, and composition: An area roughly triangular in shape defined 
by dry stone walls and the retaining wall of thp. hor.gprmTl T_________
Physical Description:^____________________________________________t 
»
An irregular shaped expound defined by dry stone walls and the retaining walla , 
of the horsemill extends outward in a southeasterly direction from the ho^se- 
mill. It appears to be an enclosure for confining such dray animals used in thej 
'working of the draw of the horsemill during peiods of rest more than an ox- 
pound proper. No traces have been observed of a corral shelter or feeding 
troughs as is generally observed in expounds proper
Latitude 18U 19'3Q" Longitude 64°44'42"
(continue on reverse if noccssary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Ruins | 
1
Excellent
Unaltered | X
| 
Good
Altered
.
Fair \ __ 
| 
Deteriorated! Xj 
Original Site lx 1 Moved 1 
j
Report prepared by:
23 1981
Appendix B, Histo^^strict 
^ j
1 
• 
' CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY
REGION Southeast
ORGAN1ZATI01
PARK/AREA NAMEVirgin Islands Nat'1 Park 
CODE NO.
STRUCTURE NAME? .Cemetery. Factory.
i.
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National I 
I
State
STRUCTURE NO. H-13. 
Local [""xl
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE;Shoreline of R e ef Bay 1 3/4 miles south of Centcrline Road- 
UTM REFERENCE:jT~j|]I CLASS Vl LAND ACREAGE, (if not 
A |_|_I j_|_|_I 
J 
| 
j |_1_j_1 (_I 
1 
I 
I part of a complex or district:^ 
Zone 
Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE;, 
Type of, and composition: One raised masonry ancj monumented grave
a cemetery with undefined limits;___________________________
Physical Description:___________________________________________.
An ill-defined cemetery is located southeast of the horsemill and south of the 
expound. It is known to contain the graves of three members of the Marsh 
family. Only one, the grave of William Marsh is monumented, by a buili up 
masonry structure surmounted by a standing cross.
Latitude 18U 19'30" Longitude 64°44'42"
(continue on reverse if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Ruins | 
|
Excellent
Unaltered | X
| 
Good
Altered
Fairl_ 
] 
Detorioratedlx
Original Site Ixl Moved 1 
I
Report prepared by: ,
UUL
Appendix, Histori
REGION 
Southeast
ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park COPE NO. . 5360
STRUCTURE NAMg Well and Drinking Trough.
« 
i 
*
, 
i 
' 
___
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
' National | 
|
/STRUCTURE NO. H-13,9
'
. 
. 
. 
•
State ! 
1 
Local
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE;shoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles south of Centcrlme Koact 
UTM REFERENCE:jTjj]| CLASS Vt LAND ACREAGE (if not 
A LJ_j LJ_{_III 
1 I_1_I_J_[ 
J 
I 
I part of a .complex or district: 
Zone 
Easting 
Northi.ng 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Shoreline of Reef Bay 1 3/4 miles 
Physical Description:.____________________________________
,A well connected to a 40 foot long plastered masonry drinking trough for cattle 
is located |2$0 feet northeast of the factory. The trough is 3 feet wide and
; raised 2 f<jet above grade and is built in a straight line east west. The well :'.s 
located at it« east end. The circular walls of the well stand 2'-6' above grade 
and have a diameter of 5 feet. 
!
Latitude 
18°19'30" Longitude 64Q44'4Z'
(continue on reverse if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excelle 
Ruins (7H 
Unaltered
nt
x
Good 
Altered
Fair I 
| 
Detie
Original Site 1 X
rio rated] XJ 
Moved \~]
Report: prepared by:
Engine House
Histori<:Name: Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands,
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
West and north elevation of engine house of factory
(H-13, 1) mill round and cane crushers to the right 
(H-13,1). 
.
Factory
Historic Name: Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter. St. John, Virgin Islands
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Storage wing (Left) and firing trench (right) of factory 
(H&13,2) viewed from the west.
JUL231981 
JUN 8 
1981
*"
IV.. --.V:-
Factory
Historic Name: Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
Photo credit F.C. Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at ¥irgin Islands National Park
Curing and storage wing of factory viewed from the 
northeast, still in foreground (Hdl 3, 2).
••*;•
Factory
Historic Name: Reef Bay Plantation
Common N«me: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
eeCvf
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Factory building viewed from the southeast, curing house 
to the jfight and foiling house to the left (H-i2, 2}.
&
«r
M
Horsemill and Factory
Historic Name: Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter., St. John, Virgin Islands
(VX 'KJ&M- rW /r)^/fy^
Photo credit F. C.Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
HorsemilljnH-13, 1 (Left) and factory building (H-13, 2)
 yi«rw»4 from the southeast. 1860's engine house in center 
of view with boiling house to the right.
1981 JUL 23 I98!
'A
.*I
»
If.
'rs^,
*>.
* ^
8Vl
I
f
^)
--^
I
u
-i /
Horsemill
Historic name: .Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo 6/26/78 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Horsemill (H-13, 1) with remains of expound wall 
(H-13, 7) in the foreground viewed from the south- 
southeast. Factory building in background (H-13, 2).
JUL23I98I
Factory
Historic Name:. Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reff Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
(uf ivd-l' P**l tn^i-^^ 't?s
Phofco credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo July, 1970 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Interior of boiling house of factory (H-13, 2) viewed 
from the south, prior to reroofing.
'O.!,
Steam Engine Room
Historic Name:. Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarters. St. John, Virgin Islands
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo July, 1970 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
View of steam engine room of factory (H-13, 2) from 
top of stack prior to reroofing and cleaning of debris.
r
. 
• v-c;
Dwelling No. 2
Historic Name:. Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter. St. John, Virgin Islands
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing date of photo April, 1976 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Dwelling No. 2 h-13,4 viewed from the southwest.
Bake Oven
Historic Name:. Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
hoto credit F. C. Gjessing date of photo April, 1976 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Bake Oven H-13, 6 viewed from the south.
Grave
Historic Name:. Reef Bay Plantation
Common Name: Reef Bay Factory
Reef Bay Quarter^ St. John, Virgdn Islands
( 
l
u$,
Photo credij? F. C. Gjessing date of photo April, 1976 
negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Grave of William Marsh viewed from the north (H-13, 8).