Form No. 10-300 ^ ^ ^0- Vr® DPkTK sHee-r ^ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF fflSTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED ^ iS/fa DATE ENTERED JUl 3 0 1976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS Bname HISTORIC Estate Botany Bay AND/OR COMMON □location , <2 STREETS NUMBER Westend Quarter —NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY, TOWN Charlotte Amalie vicinity of CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1 U.S. Vrrgrn Islands 78 COUNTY CODE St. Thomas 0900 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY —DISTRICT X_BUILOING(S) —STRUCTURE —SITE —OBJECT OWNERSHIP —PUBLIC X_PRIVATE —BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION —IN PROCESS X_BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X.OCCUPIED —UNOCCUPIED —WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X_YES: RESTRICTED — YES: UNRESTRICTED —NO PRESENT USE —AGRICULTURE —MUSEUM —COMMERCIAL —EDUCATIONAL —PARK XPRIVATE RESIDENCE —ENTERTAINMENT —RELIGIOUS —GOVERNMENT —SCIENTIFIC —INDUSTRIAL —MILITARY —TRANSPORTATION —OTHER: HOWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Allison E, Jones, Ellen C. Long, Henry Corning, Trustee STREET & NUMBER 1020 National City Bank ___ CITY, TOWN Cleveland STATE VICINITY OF Ohio [LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. Recordet of Doods STREET & NUMBER No, 18 Kongens Gade CITY. TOWN Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas STATE U.S. V.I. [1 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE U.S. virgin Islands Inventory of Historic Places DATE May 1976 —FEDERAL XSTATE —COUNTY —LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Virgin Islands Planning Office CITY, TOWN Charlotte Amalie, U.S.V.I. STATE DESCRIPTION CONDITION —EXCELLENT —GOOD —FAIR —DETERIORATED X_RUINS —UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE X_UNALTERED —ALTERED CHECK ONE ^ORIGINAL SITE —MOVED DATE, DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Estate Botany Bay is the farthest point West on the island of St. Thomas. The ruins of the sugar cane factory^probably built around 1800, and the surrounding outbuildings are located on a bluff above the cove of the bay. Fevr sugar cane factories are remaining on the island of St. Thomas, and with its unusual fortress-like massing, fine proportions and dramatic siting, the factory at Estate Botany Bay has particular significance. The massing of Botany Bay's factory—a 2-story rectangle (75' x 30') with a central, one story projection (18' x 32') battered toward the interior is in contrast to the usual T-shape plan of factories on St. Croix. The building is constructed of red ballast brick, rubble masonry and local brain coral, and was originally stuccoed. The walls are 3 feet thick, with brick buttresses running the length of the interior wall on the west facade. Attached flanking brick staircases at the intersection of the factory wall and the projection allow access to the level of the central projection. Various remains indicate that the roof of the factory was gabled and had a timber frame. One square pinnacle remains on the NE corner. The main, western facade has three bays in the form of a large central window opening flanked by two smaller ones. The side walls have three bays, and the rear wall,four. All the window openings have flat, jack arches with brick voussoirs and no keystone, and are splayed to the interior. Wrought iron drive pintles in the corners indicate that exterior shutters were provided. The windows were fitted with horizontal wooden bars, of which several still remain. The wood casings are recessed into the masonry exterior walls, and there are remains of plaster on some jambs and soffits. The interior is partitioned into a series of rooms, which may have had timber beam ceilings. There is also a series of barrel- vaulted rooms inside the battered projection on the main facade. On the interior, there is a second battered projection about 10 feet square, jutting from the center of the rear, east wall into the interior space. A large iron pot, called a "copper", used to cook the sugar cane juice after it had been heated and skimmed, is now sunken into the projection, but this is not its original location. Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPSUSE ONLY RECEIVED JUM 2 :'1S76 ; DATE ENTERED JUL3S1376 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 3 PAGE one The virgin Islands Government, Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs, has initiated discussions with the owners of Botany Bay with the intentions of acquiring all or part of the estate including the historic site and archaeological site. The Government intends to establish an historic park in association with a recreational facility, stabilize the ruins, and initiate a program of historic, archaeological and nature interpretations, -T.s. ■'iv • GPO 692 455 Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF fflSTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUN 2 B76 '.si CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE two A small rectangular opening in the center of the south wall appears to be the entrance point of the pipe that carried the unprocessed sugar cane juice by gravity from the site of the original animal mill, on the higher grade SE of the factory. Semi-circular openings reinforced with terracotta and placed mid-way down the length of the south wallS/are the openings of tunnels through which the fires under the coppers were stoked. Farther down the wall, there is a series of square openings of tunnels that probably acted as a means of drainage in the refining process, but their specific function is not clear. A new house has been constructed over the ruins of the site of the animal mill, already mentioned, to the SE of the factory. To the rear of the mill is located the ruin of one of the slave quarters, another similar ruin lies directly behind it. The landscaping around the factory is in a lush, natural state, though the immediate area surrounding the factory is kept cleared. Q SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD —PREHISTORIC —1400-1499 —1500-1599 —1600-1699 Xl 700-1799 XI800-1899 —1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW —ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC —ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC Xagriculture iiARCHITECTURE —ART —COMMERCE —COMMUNICATIONS —COMMUNITY PLANNING —CONSERVATION —ECONOMICS —EDUCATION —ENGINEERING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE —EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT —INDUSTRY —INVENTION —LAW —LITERATURE —MILITARY —MUSIC —PHILOSOPHY —POLITICS/GOVERNMENT —RELIGION —SCIENCE —SCULPTURE —SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN —THEATER —TRANSPORTATION —OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER/ARCHITECT STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Estate Botany Bay is one of the few remaining ruins of a sugar plan­ tation in St. Thomas. The ruins include most of the sugar factory and several walls of the slave quarters. Although the exact date of construction is unknown, it can be assumed from property deed records that the plantation was operational in 1810. The Danes began settlement in the West Indies during the 17th century primarily to develop plantation agriculture. Cotton and -• sugar were the major crops cultivated. As the world demand for sugar increased, sugar became the most improtant agricultural product. Sugar production in St. Thomas reached its peak in 1725 and after 1754 the industry became of little importance compared to the grow­ ing commercial economy. The first recorded land transaction for Estate Botany Bay is dated January 17, 1810, in which, after the death of James Murphy, Elizabeth Murphy (with T. Blair and executor 0. Buntzen and J.P. Jennings) deecfed Botany Bay witlr belongings to William Punnett and Edward C. Murphy. Estate Botany Bay experienced a series of estate and debt sales: in 1814, 1816 and 1818. On July 26, 1827 Botany Bay and neighboring Fortune were sold by their owner William Punnett to William Ackers Esq., attorney to the Liverpool firm of Falkner and Mandsley, in liquidation of Punnett’s debts. Included in the transaction were twenty-nine male slaves, twenty-two women, ten boys, eight girls and stock belonging to the estate consisting of twenty-three mules, eight asses and fifteen horned cattle. Ackens immediately sold the lot to Robert Flemming Esq. of St. Thomas for $36,000. The deterioriated conditions of Estate Botany Bay in the late 19th century is indicated by its sale in May, 1878 to Merchant W. White for the purchase svim of $900. The ruins of Estate Botany Bay are a significant reminder of the importance of sugar cultivation to the agriculture economy of St. Thomas. The unusual fortress-like massing, five proportions and dramatic siting of the factory, together with the lush surrounding landscape, make Botany Bay a highly significant site. Imajor bibliographical references Dookhan, Issac, A History of the Virgin Islands of the United States, Epping, Essex: Bowker Publishing Company, 1974. Estate Botany Bay Deed File, Recorder of Deeds, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00801- Interview: Donald Plantz, Caretaker, May 5, 1976. B3GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY. UTM REFERENCES a| , I I I , I , , I I , I > I . , I ZONE EASTING NORTHING cl , I I I , I , , I I , I . I . ■ 1 180 21' 36" North Lat. 65° 01' 55" West Long. bLJ I I . I ■ , I I . I ■ I . I 1 ZONE EASTING NORTHING d1 ■ I I I . 1 . . I I . I . I . . I VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE EQform prepared by NAME/TITLE Samuol N. Stokes, Russell Wright, Annie Hillary, Margeret Proskauer, V.I. Historic Survey ORGANIZATION Virgin Islands Planning Office DATE May 16, 1976 STREETS NUMBER P.O. Box 2606 TELEPHONE (809) 774-1730 CITY OR TOWN , . _ Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas STATE U.S. Virgin Islands I0STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL___ STATE X LOCAL------- As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE TITLE Director of Planning DATE May 25, 1976 FDRNPSUSE ONLY 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY A INCLUDED INif HE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE DIRECTOR, OFF! .ATTEST: ATIO'N FARCHEDLO NDHfSTORiC^ ■ KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 892 453 Property State 2 Working Nub ^i^aC)[V^\ ^'Th9rrt —n,Xv.-oo L_ i/X ■-r^ ^5>"/76 Not /y^o/\ lA I' iW l^^'j /A, ioi^Jrus (ArtA etc. ^ OTHER Inventory ^ Review /kc^£^ REVIEW UNIT CHIEF «=^vvt< 4^-e-u- Ca cl goo‘+- ^toLo f»< ouc^ ujfvt'Art&n« BRANCH CHIEF VTX^JtVeavv I sWV»;\;^%:0^‘on rgm'oS cx^4 . OurdUeolov^‘caS jr«krrN»Jo» «'s prt,V^bt^ tS ^iS"|56 ass\ji>r>e -VUoCa o,vcke NO Saved ? FUNCTION (S); (use vocabulary words) now- significance: NO ’v —ARCMCUl.Uv’t/politicS —SOENCI —UTERATURE —MILITARY —MUSIC —RNILOSOPHY —raunCS/COVERNMENT - -.entertainment —health —recreation "®OCIRItmumanitarian —Settlement i^Mcio/cultural —TRANSPORTATION —Urban & comniun -OTHER ISPEOFYI planning oldestV YES NO *onIy’J ARCHITECTURAL STYLE.* archilecl/m .builder: 1 a nds ca p a rden d cs ign er; \ interior decorator: ethnic group: engineer: artist/artisan: buiJder/contractor: names; personal (label role & appropriate dace) events ' 'V ' (^7 ^ i -p^ " institutional dates: date of construction (Specific date or 1/4 of DATE(S) OF ".'U\JOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) ; j^/^' ^ ^ SOURCE. (Qp NOMINATION) acreage: PRIVATE OTflER FEDERAL'AGENCY: LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY (to nearest tenth of an acre) COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) . .• . i • iP S1GNI1'ICANCE.(maximum two sentences) ARCIIITECTUiiAL STYLE.* archilec '— source: (q. acreage; PRT/ATE I STA' NOMINATION) other FEDERAL 'AGENCY: LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY (to nearest tenth of an acre} COMMENTS: (include architectural information here'^ J- > o ^ Aumo> (L au|4Aj^4(LCl^u^ ^ itative of Iftli Represen- PwiSAi iiipoFtance of suls- cuTtivstion; one of fe-Civ^'gr plantation remaining on-4^ island.