Charlotte Amalie history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Charlotte Amalie dates back to the second half of the 17th century. The official founding date is considered to be 1672, when an expedition of the Danish West India Company, led by Governor Jørgen Iversen Dyppel, arrived on the island of St. Thomas.

Interestingly, the settlement was originally named Taphus, which translates from Danish as "tavern" or "public house". This name vividly characterized the early appearance of the city, which abounded with establishments for sailors. The city received its current, more noble name only in 1691 in honour of Queen Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, the wife of the Danish King Christian V.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving city was driven by a combination of unique conditions:

• Ideal Geography: The city is situated around a deep-water natural harbour, protected by hills. This made it a safe haven for ships during Caribbean storms and hurricanes.
• Strategic Trade: Thanks to its convenient location at the crossroads of maritime routes, the port became a key transit hub between Europe and the Americas. Later, the status of a "free port" attracted merchants from all over the world.
• Political Will: The Danish Crown actively invested in infrastructure development and the construction of fortifications, such as Fort Christian, to protect its colonial interests.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even in its early years, Charlotte Amalie was distinguished by a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The economy was built on the export of sugar, tobacco, and cotton grown on local plantations, as well as servicing merchant vessels.

The city's cultural landscape formed as a mosaic: Danish officials, Dutch merchants, French Huguenots, and settlers from other European countries lived here. This blend of cultures was reflected in the unique architecture of the city, where the Danish colonial style adapted to the tropical climate, creating the unique look of the historic districts.

Danish Heritage

• 1672: The Danish West India Company establishes a permanent settlement. Construction begins on Fort Christian — today the oldest building on the islands and a popular tourist attraction.
• 1691: The settlement officially receives the name Charlotte Amalie in honour of the Queen of Denmark. This name replaces the former colloquial nickname Taphus ("tavern"), marking the rise in the city's status.
• 1764: King Frederick V declares St. Thomas a free port. This decision turns the city into a trade hub of the Caribbean, and the historic warehouses of that time have today become the foundation for boutiques on the famous Main Street.
• 1848: Abolition of slavery. Governor Peter von Scholten proclaims freedom, an event after which the city's central park is named — Emancipation Garden.
• 1871: Charlotte Amalie reclaims the title of capital of the Danish West Indies, taking this status from the city of Christiansted.

The American Era

• 1917: Transfer Day. The islands officially come under US jurisdiction. The city becomes the administrative centre of the US Virgin Islands.
• 1927: Residents of Charlotte Amalie and other islands of the archipelago are granted US citizenship, strengthening the region's connection with the mainland.
• 1936: The adoption of the Organic Act finally solidifies the historical name of the city, ending the practice of using the name "St. Thomas" to designate the capital.
• 2017: The city ceremoniously celebrates the centennial of joining the USA, demonstrating a unique fusion of Caribbean, Danish, and American traditions.

Stages of Shaping the City's Appearance

The development of Charlotte Amalie is a journey from a colonial outpost to one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean. Here are the key milestones that defined the modern look, economy, and culture of the capital:

• Formation of the Commercial District (18th–19th centuries): The free port status led to a unique urban planning solution — the construction of long brick warehouses stretching from the coastline to the main street (Dronningens Gade). Today, these historic buildings have been converted into famous duty-free boutiques, jewellery stores, and restaurants, forming the basis of the city's commercial centre.
• Infrastructure Modernization by the US Navy (1917–1940s): After the islands came under US jurisdiction, the city was temporarily managed by the Navy. During this period, large-scale works were carried out to improve sanitation, pave streets, and create water supply systems, which laid the foundation for modern urban infrastructure.
• Reorientation Towards Tourism (1950s — 1960s): With the final decline of the plantation economy and the closure of Cuba to American travellers, Charlotte Amalie bet on tourism. Active construction of hotels and the development of the service sector began, which forever changed the city's economic profile from agrarian-trading to service-oriented.
• Preservation of Architectural Heritage (1976): The inclusion of the Charlotte Amalie Historic District in the US National Register of Historic Places was a turning point in urban planning. This decision protected the unique Danish colonial architecture from demolition and chaotic development, preserving the recognizable "European" charm in the tropics.
• Emergence as a Cruise Hub (Late 20th — Early 21st century): Massive reconstruction and expansion of berths in Havensight harbour and the Crown Bay area allowed the city to accommodate the world's largest cruise liners. This secured Charlotte Amalie's status as the region's main tourism artery and ensured stable economic growth.

Urban Planning Features and Landscape

The architectural appearance of Charlotte Amalie is unique to the Caribbean region due to the strong influence of Danish urban planning adapted to the complex terrain. The city developed from the coastline up the steep slopes of three hills, historically called the "mizzenmasts" (Government Hill, Berg Hill, French Hill).

Due to the elevation changes, instead of traditional perpendicular streets, a network of step streets was created here. These stone staircases, laid by the Danes, still serve as pedestrian arteries connecting the waterfront with residential neighbourhoods on the heights.

Architectural Styles and Eras

A clear link between historical periods and dominant styles can be traced in the city's development, where European classics intertwine with tropical functionality.

• Military Architecture and Early Colonial Style (17th Century)
  The era of the settlement's founding required protection. Buildings of this period are massive, devoid of decoration, and strictly functional. Walls were built thick for protection against hurricanes and attacks.
  Example: Fort Christian (1672) — a vivid example of Danish-Norwegian military engineering with elements of Neo-Gothic style (the crenellated clock tower was added later, in the 19th century).
• Commercial Functionalism (18th Century)
  The flourishing of free trade shaped a unique type of development — long brick warehouses (pakhus) stretching from the main street to the sea. The style is characterized by wide arched doorways for moving cargo and internal courtyards.
  Example: Historic warehouses on Main Street (Dronningens Gade), the walls of which are made of brick and coral debris.
• Neoclassicism (19th Century)
  During the period of economic prosperity, administrative and public buildings began to be built in the style of Classicism, popular in Europe. It is characterized by columns, symmetry, grand staircases, and wrought-iron balconies. A local feature is adaptation to the climate: high ceilings for air circulation and galleries for shade.
  Example: Government House (1860s) with its elegant white facade and cast-iron verandas.
• Local Vernacular Style (19th–20th Centuries)
  Middle-class residential development combined timber and stone. Characteristic features: high foundations, hipped roofs to drain tropical rains, and louvered shutters for protection from the sun.
  Example: Wooden cottages in the Frenchtown district.

Landmarks That Shaped the City's Look

Several key structures serve as architectural landmarks of Charlotte Amalie:

• 99 Steps: The most famous step street, built in the mid-18th century from bricks brought from Denmark as ship ballast.
• Blackbeard's Castle (Skytsborg): A 17th-century watchtower, an example of early fortification towering over the city.
• Frederick Lutheran Church: A building combining features of Georgian style and Neo-Gothic, with a recognizable pediment and massive steps.

Art and Philosophy

• Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) — Impressionist Painter.
  One of the founding fathers of Impressionism was born and raised in Charlotte Amalie. It was here, in the family of a local merchant, that he began making his first sketches of port life and tropical landscapes before leaving for Paris and changing world painting forever.
• Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912) — Writer and Educator.
  A native of the city who became known as the "father of Pan-Africanism". His philosophical works and ideas on cultural identity had a tremendous influence on the civil rights movement and national self-awareness around the world.
• Alton Adams (1889–1987) — Composer and Conductor.
  The first African American to receive the rank of bandmaster in the US Navy. Adams is the author of "The Virgin Islands March" — the territory's official anthem. His musical legacy remains an important part of the city's cultural code.

Politics and Diplomacy

• Peter von Scholten (1784–1854) — Governor-General of the Danish West Indies.
  A key historical figure for Charlotte Amalie. In 1848, while at his residence in the city, he made the strong-willed decision to proclaim the immediate abolition of slavery, which prevented bloodshed and opened a new chapter in the history of the islands.
• Terence Todman (1926–2014) — US Diplomat.
  Born in Charlotte Amalie, he reached the pinnacle of a diplomatic career, becoming one of the first African Americans to hold the rank of Career Ambassador. He represented the USA in six countries (including Denmark and Spain), becoming an example of success for many islanders.
• Ralph Paiewonsky (1907–1991) — Governor and Businessman.
  A native of the city who played a decisive role in the transformation of the islands' economy in the mid-20th century. It was his policy that contributed to the development of tourism and the transformation of Charlotte Amalie into a thriving cruise port.

Sports

• Emile Griffith (1938–2013) — Professional Boxer.
  A legendary athlete born on St. Thomas. A multiple-time world champion in several weight classes, whose victories in the international ring brought worldwide fame to his hometown.