JUL 2 3 1981
APPENDIX B 
L'ESPERANCE HISTORIC DISTRICT
DESCRIPTION
L'Esperance plantation is located on the high ridge land of St. John 1/4 mile 
south of Centerline Road on the east border of Cruz Bay Quarter. 
It was a 
choice site for agricultural purposes for its soil conditions, permanent spring 
and relatively high precipitation. As a plantation site, it is a small compact 
unit with fairly large buildings, that include two horsemills, a factory, a 
free standing cistern, a storage building, a great house, a cook house, a ser- 
vice building, a cemetery, a stone bridge as well as retaining walls, stair- 
cases and stone fencing.
It was developed early in the 18th century and has retained features of design 
and construction in its standing remains of interest for their age and for 
their variance from the generally accepted layout of plantation sites. The 
tight grouping of the different units that comprise 1'Esperance centered a- 
round the Great House is exceptional and predates the pattern that characterizes 
the normal layout. Architecturally it is notable for, the high quality of work- 
manship observable in the Great House and Service buildings masonry as well 
as the use of volcanic sandstone as a building material. This exotic material 
to the Virgin Islands was probably imported from the Leeward Islands. The 
masonry remains of the Great House, the south Horsemill and the Service Buil- 
ding are in a fair state of preservation. All other structures are badly de- 
teriorated.
L'Esperance produced sugar in the early 1830 f s but in the 1840ties discontinued 
cultivation of cane.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
L'Esperance Historic District is significant for its unusual layout as a sugar 
plantation and for its association with Governor Eric Bredal, who in the 1720ties 
owned the plantation and who in 1719 affected the Danish colonization of St. John 
in the face of British ©position.
Latitude 
Longitude 
Acreage 6% acres 
18° 20'32" 
64° 45'32"
There is no UTM references on any published maps of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
L'Esperance Historic District is bounded to the West by the trail that from 
Centerline Road leads to Sieben plantation starting at a point on the trail 250 
feet northwest of the storm bridge across Fish Bay Gut and ending 450 feet due
2 3 1981
south of the same bridge, then in an easterly direction for 300 feet across the 
gut to the bed of the intermittent stream on the east side of the site then 
following the stream bed in an north and easterly direction for about 700 feet 
to a point about 225 feet northeast of the expound and then westerly to the 
starting point on the Centerline-Sieben trail. The boundaries include all parts 
of the historic resource and enclose a natural topographical area between the 
two streambeds to the west and east of the district.
2 3 1981
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NFS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME^Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAMg New Horsemill, L'Esperance Plantation 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National jj
State II
STRUCTURE NO. 
H-5 r. 1 
Local 1 x|
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE?11
L'Esperance trail to Mollendal, ^ mile south of
• ___________________________ 
C", f^'
UTM REFERENCE:
A LiJ LI_J-
Zone . Easting!
JL
N
J_ 
o r t h i n g
J 
I
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
part of a complex or district:
acres.
STRUCTURE:. 
Type of, and composition: Circular raised earth fill platform 
by rubble masonry walls. 
. 
_
Physical Description; The circular horsemill has a diameter of 65'. It is located 
on the south and downhill side of the site. Aroached Crorri uie north n
level, the horsemill platform is supported and defined by retainins walls th?t. on 
the south side reached heights of 20'. These walls have partially failed to\vn,rns
the south and west, but are still in evidence. Fragements of the foundations of 
the grinding mechanism are still apparent._____________•__________________
L/'Esperance Plantation was brought under cultivation carlv ar.d \vas a \vell 
doveloped sn^ar plantation by the 1780s. As a 
lantation site i
r, a
p^ct \\T\it with faily large building remains. -The ne\v horsemill probnbly 
from the early 19th century
Latitude 18°20 1 33" JLonitude
(continue on reverse
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Ruins
Excellent j 
Unaltered 
X
Good! 
Altered
Fair 1 
[ 
DotcrioratedJ_ 
Original Site [x~1 Mov«2d
JUL 2 3 1981
Appendix B: 'Historic District 
* 
• 
' 
' CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NTS ORGANIZATION; 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360 
.
STRUCTURE NAM
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Id Horse Mill, L'Esperance Plantation 
STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 2 
.
State | 
j
National
Local
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE: Qn L « Esperance trail to Mollendal z mile south CenterlineR. 
UTM REFERENCE: 
III 
I 
1 
! 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
A 
!__j__J | )_I_| 
I 
I 
j I_1_I_1_I 
I 
! 
I part 'of a complex or district: 
Zone 
Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Roughly circular level area derived by 
digging into hillside and filling in- downhill area._________________
Physical Description: The earlier horse mill of the plantation is located to the 
north of the site and is a platform with a diameter of 50', dug into the uphill
north side and towards the southwest, defined by a retaining \vall.. Now part of 
•f-V)f» a<-rf><;c; marl tn the newer horserrnll and the Great House. The old hor.semill
CCITI V>O
>TY ^"'-'ir"'-'
•n
inH nf
cultivation of L'Esperance Plantation,
Latitude 18 U 20'23" Longitude 64°45 I 3Z I
(continue on reverse. If n
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent 
Ruins | 
| 
Unaltered X
Good 
Altered
"Fair"EIJ 
Original Site f~X"| Jjoved
JUL 2 3 1981
Appendix B, Historic District 
^ 
. 
• 
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE KO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME" Factory, L'Esperance Plantation________
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National | 
| 
State [
STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 3
Local X
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE;pn L'Esperance trail to Mollendal 4:mile south of Centerline 1
UTM REFERENCE: 
i 
I 
I 
I 
1 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
A j_j_I |_j_j_j 111 I_!_j_j_I 
I 
I 
I part of a complex or district:
Zone
Easting
Northing
acres.
STRUCTURE: 
Type of, and composition: Rubble Msonry rectangular in plan_______
Physical Description: 
The remains of a rectangular masonry structure 6Q'xZ5' 
oriented east-\vest. 
Except for the west end of the structure, the walls have toppl t• c 
entirely and provide only meager illustration of the former function of the building .
It does not have the characteristic "T" shaped plan ot the conventional sug^i- factory 
of thcpato 18th century and earlv 19th century and can be-presumed to be the re- 
mains of 18th century construction.___________________________.______________
] 
Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude b4 l'44' 32 i:
(continue on reverse ii' noccr r,,->r\0
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent 
Ruins I X 1 
Unaltered 
X
1 
Good 
Altered
Fair j__[ Deteriorated I 
J 
Original Site 1 X ] ]loved | 
|
2 3 1981
Appendix B, Historic District
• 
• 
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME Free-standing Cistern, L'Esperance Planta- STRUCTURE NO. 
H-5, 4
. 
-1,1 on 
fc
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National [
State [ 
j
Local {X
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE: Qn L'Esperance trail to Mollendal ~mile south of Centerline 
UTM REFERENCE: 
| 
{111 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
A Li_f I_I_I_I 
1 
I 
I I_1_I_1_lit J part of a complex or district: 
Zone -Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE: 
Type of, and composition: Plastered rubble masonry rectangular in
plan and one story high._______;_____________________________ 
Physical Description: 
The free-standing cistern is a small masonry structure
immediately west of the factory measuring I6'x8'. Jt is divided into hvo oqual 
sections - a small storage area and a cistern. The walls stand tojlheir full hcif'ht.
L'Esperance Plantation was brought under cultivation early in the 18th confyiry and 
was -well developed sugar plantation by 1780. Inadequate research prevents accurate 
dating of existing remains of its buildings. They probably range throxigh the late 
18th century and the early 19th century.____________________________________
Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64 U44'3Z"
(continue or\ reverse, if necessary)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent 
j 
Good 
Ruins Hcl 
Unaltered HcjAltered
Fair [ 
1 
Deteriorated] 
Original Site | X | Moved
2 3 1881
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED r/ilUJCTURE FIELD INVF.KTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NFS ORGANIZATION 
__ PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360
U 
>1 
' 
•
STRUCTURE NAT& Storage Building, L'Esperance Plantation 
STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 5 
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National | 
| 
State f~| 
Local | X\
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:Qn L'Esperance trail to Mollondal ^mile south of Ccnterline I
UTM. REFERENCE
A
Zone -Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
1 REFERENCE: 
j 
I 
I 
I 
1 
I 
CLASS VI LAN1D ACREAGE ( if not 
j_ f_f 
I 
J_ J_Jill |_1_j _1_I 
I 
II part of a complex or district:
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Plastered rubble masonry one story_____ 
rectangular in plan.__________________;_____________________________
Physical Description; A one-story masonry structure 12'x25' immediately \vest of 
the cistern \vith doors in both gable ends and two window openings in each long 
•wall._________
Assumed to be a storage building because of its proximity to the free-standing 
cistern and the factory building. It.lacks identifying features and may have served 
s e ver al pur po s e s.______________________________________;_______:____
Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64°45'32"
(continue on reverse ._if n{jce.ssnvv)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent j 
| 
Good 
Ruins | X | 
Unaltered [X [ 
Altered
Fair ! 
Di*tcrioratedl
\—.- . —. 4 
,——- ...—. 
,———.—~~. -A
Original Site • >^ j ?!oved |__j
JUL 2 3
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME_Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360 
.
')' 
STRUCTURE NAME _C_real House, L'Esperance Plantation
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National [ 
|
State
STRUCTURE NO. H-5,6 
Local
LOCATION 0? STRUCTUREiQn L'Esoerance trail to Moilenaai ^
suucu
UTM REFERENCE: 
| 
! 
I 
! 
1 
I 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not
A 
j 
|_f | )_j_) 
) 
[ 
J }_|_|_"!_) 
I 
I 
I part of a complex or district:
Zone -Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Rubble and cut stone one-story masonry
former wood building rectangular- in plan.___________________________________
Physical Description; The Great House ruin is the best preserved of all structures 
of the L'Esperance Plantation site. It is located 30' west of the ne\v horse-mine n nd 
45' north and uphill of the factory. 
The considerable grade difference between the 
site of the latter and the Great House is regulated by a narrow terrace-fronting the 
Great House, supported on a fraemcnted retaining \vall and a steep bank. 
"Vhe hous<c
had a masonry ground floor measuring 46'x34' that supported a wood superstructure' 
The ground floor \valls stand to their full height. The north and part of the west_ 
v/all act as retaining -wall for the level area that fronted the yard side of the Gre-it 
• House. 
The walls, are rubble masonry \vith cut and dressed stone around openings 
and at cornersLand -with articulated _ quoins on the _fre_e_-standing exterior l'ac_c?. In 
plan it is divided into an enclosed room 20' wide that runs the full length of the 
building and a 12' \vide, partially open gallery on the south and factory side oi th"e"
building. The east wall of the structure continues as a retaining wall for the ter­ 
race to the north and masonry steps along the west wall of the building lo^d up to 
this terrace level. The stonework is handsomely finished and the execution ver\f
for traces of bpp.ms and plates nothing remains of thr \vnod
superstructure. Probable dates of construction is late 18th century. 
Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64 045'32" 
(continue on reverse if
PRESENT COiNTDITION: 
Excellent 
Ruins | xl 
Unaltered [_x
Good 
Altered
Fair [ 
| 
DcticrioraLcdl 
Original Site |_xJ Moved [__|
2 3 1982
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NFS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360,
' 
~~J 
STRUCTURE NAME CnnlTHouse. L'Esperancc Plantation
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National | 
| 
State
•— 
•
STRUCTURE NO. H-5 P 7_ 
Local [ 
[
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE: Qn
tr?.il to Mollendal Jrmile south of Ccmterline
UTM REFERENCE:
A L,_TU_i
Zone . 
E a s t i n R
i 
I 
I 
I
l_L_iJ Li J_
Northing
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not: 
part 'of a complex or.district:
acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Rubble and brick masonry one story building 
rectangular in plan. 
________ ; _____________________________ ' 
Physical Description; The cookhouse is located north and slightly -west of the
Wrmse pt ^distance of approximately 25 feet on the ..level north terrace. The
rubble masonry and brick \valls stand from 4' to 6' out of the ground. The building 
measures 22'xl6' and has the unusual feature of two masonry cooking ranges 
apainst the interior short walls of the structure, with a brick Dutch oven ir4 the
scmt?-»\vpst interior corner, contemporary with the Great House and probably of a 
late 18th century date. __________________________________ . _______
Latitude lb°ZO'Z3" Longitude 64 U44'32"
PRESENT CONDITION:Excellent j 
jGood 
Ruins [~x] 
Unaltered [~X] 
Altered
(continue on revors elf noc e s_sarv^_
Fair | __ { 
Dc 
Oriinal Site
crioratecii j 
:!oved [ __ [
2 3 #8f 
-
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
KPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE KO. 5360
'*•/£/ 
•
STRUCTURE NAME _a^ vice Building, L'Esperance Plantation 
STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 8
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National | 
|
State
Local [X
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE; Qn L < Esperance trail to Mollendal jhmile south of Ccnterline 
UTM REFERENCE: 
i 
III 
] 
I 
CLASS VI ^^^ ACREAGE (if not 
A L!_I II_I_I 
\ 
| 
j I_1_j_]_I 
I 
I 
J part of a complex or district:- 
Zone .Easting 
Northing 
_______ acres.
STRUCTURE: 
Type of, and composition: Rubble and brick masonry one story building
"L" shaped in plan. _____ 
; ___ ; ______________________________
Physical Description: The service building is an "L." shaped rubble masonry ____
structure, measuring 3Q'xZ2' west of the cook house, and on the same level. It
contained two rooms and another Dutch oven constructed in hrirlc. Thp function of
the structure seems to duplicate the smaller but more elaborate cook house and is
not ntrp' 
understood. 
i _____
Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64°44'32"
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent
i——i 
r—
Ruins 1 x I 
Unaltered X
| 
Good 
Altered
(continue on reverse .ii necessary)_
Fair | 
| 
Deteriorated! 
J
—— 
i——i 
r —i 
Original Site j X 1 Moved j__j
Appendix B, Historic District
REGION Southeast
INVENTORY REPORT
NPS ORGANIZATION* 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAM£ 
Rridg e . L'Esperance Plantation 
: -______ STRUCTURE NO. 
H-5, 9
* * 
" 
* 
•
State I 
I 
Local [X I
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National [
LOCATION OF bJTKUU'iu:^: Qn Lr'Esperance trail to ivioiieiiuaj. ^j
UTM REFERENCE:
I 
|| 
I 
1 
[ 
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
A [_j_J |[_!_} 
1 
I 
] I_I_I_1_I 
| 
| 
. j part of a complex or district:
Zone
E a B tin
Northing
acres.
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: Arched stone bridge over gut that separates 
plantation site from old cart road.-_________________________.—-______
Physical Description: 
The entrance road to TJEsperancc from the old q^r^roa^ 
that from Ccnterline Road leads to Sieben and McUlcndal crosses a small gut.' It 
• 
is bridged by a small sone arch with a span of eight feet and a width of 6'6". Al-^ 
though still standing the bridge abutments towards the north show signs of /.allure 
and in their present condition are subjected to serious erosion.__________j_____
Latitude 18°20'Z3" Longitude 64044- 1 32"~'
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Ruins ( 
|
(^cont
Excellent
Unaltered ( X
I 
Good
Altered
invie on i^cvers
Fair | __ 
| 
Original Site
e. -. i f recess a r v }
Datcr loratcdl A [ 
f3T] 1 loved 1 
j
JUL 2 3 J98J
Appendix B, Historic District
CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT
REGION Southeast
NTS ORGANIZATION 
_ PARK/AREA NAME, Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park' CODE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME CeMstery, L'Esperance Plantation 
STRUCTURE NO. H-5,10"
„ 
.
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE? 
National I 
I 
State I 
I . 
• 
Local | v f
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:On JL'Esperance trail to Mollendal ^mile south of Centerline
UTM REFERENCE:
A LU Ll_i.
J_L
LiJ. i.
!
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not 
part of a complex or.district
Zone . Easting
N. orthinfe
STRUCTURE; 
Type of, and composition: A rectangular enclosure defined by rubble
masonry walls containing 7 graves marked by raised masonry covers. 
Physical Description; A cemetery is located approximately 60' north of the Great 
House it is defined by remains of \valls and contains seven graves marked by 
raised masonry covers one of which is monumentcd and carries the inscription 
T"Hondrik Tonis Geboren op S. thomas den 15 January 1753 Overleben op S. Jandeii 
23 September 1765. "__________________________________________________
Latitude IB^ZO'ZS" Longitude 64°44'32'
(continue on reverse'-if nccessprv)
PRESENT .CONDITION: 
Excellent:_j__| 
Good 
Ruins | 
| 
Unaltered [jXJ 
Altered
Fair [[Detcrioratcdlx 
Original Site |x i Moved [__J
Appendix B,, Wistoric District
( 
CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD IIs
7TORY REPORT
REGIONSou\Mast
• 
NPS ORGANIZATION 
PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'1 Park CQDE NO. 5360
STRUCTURE NAME . Oxpound. L'Esperance Plantation ___________ STRUCTURE NO. 'H-5. 1 1
»
ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: 
National I 
} 
. 
. 
State | 
1 
. 
• 
Local | xl
k«h____^ 
»_•_«-«_» 
f M 
4
LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:On L'Esperance trail to Mollendal ±n\ile south of Centerline
UTM REFERENCE:
•A L.TLu. iiii LJ_1_U
4Zone . Easting
Noxth ing
CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not . 
part of a complex or district:
acres.
STRUCTURE: 
Type of, and composition;A rectangular area enclosed by rubble 
masonry walls and their collapsed remains. 
._____________________
Physical Description; A retangular expound is located north of the Groat House 
and east of the cemetery. It is defined by breast high rubble masonry walls but 
• 
has no visible traces of a roofed shelter for the cattle as is found in most oxpounds
Latitude: 18° 20' 2S" Long.: 6U 
US'
(continue on reverse if neccnr.qrv)
PRESENT CONDITION: 
Excellent
Unaltered 
X
Ruins 
X
Good 
Altered
Fair 1 
1 
flatcriorat-eJI 
I
—— 
(——1 
i —I 
Original Site j X| iloved j__j
Plantation House
Historic Name L'Esperance 
Cruz Bay St. John-. Virgin Island
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo April, 1973 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
West wall of Plantation House viewed from the 
north (H-5, 6).
Plantation House
L'Esperance 
,. 
Cruz Bay Ouarter. St. John, Virgin Islands 
-.
(i/r HAUL fW fK*jJ. ILL* , dm*-}
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo April, 1973 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Window in south wall of PlantationHouse (H-5, 6).
~i» „ 
"
Cook House
L'Esperance
Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
f \JI Ntd-l pwi mud- $s- /T^
Photo credit F. C. Gjessing Date of photo April, 1973 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Cook House (H-5,7) viewed from the south.
Bridge 
• - 
••' 
f'
' 
•' 
**"'
L'Esperance
Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
(\/£ Mtf. P^i MuH-fa. fife* Y
Photo credit F.C. Gje ssing Date of photd April, 1973 
Negative filed at Virgin Islands National Park
Bridge to Plantation site (H-5, 9) from Mollendal Road 
viewed from the south.