Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins [Suggest Edits]

Description

Relive a part of Saint John's past by touring the ruins of the old 18th Century Annaberg Sugar Plantation! Right in the middle of the Virgin Islands National Park, this well-preserved plantation offers a unique look back into the island's sugar economy. While sugar boomed all throughout the islands during the 17th and 18th centuries, the ending of slavery and the discovery of the Sugar Beet in Europe led to many plantation shutdowns, including Annaberg. This plantation was later turned into a cattle ranch until a 1914 hurricane, after which it was forgotten for years.

Fortunately, the National Park Service took possession of the surrounding territory and rediscovered the ruins of the old plantation and set about restoring it, making it a wonderful educational experience for many to see! Have fun touring the plantation's old windmill, horse mill, boiler room, and more!

Short Walk: By car, follow North Shore Road until you arrive at a fork past Maho Bay. Take the Northern road and drive onto Annaberg Est, following it to the end. If taking a boat, it's easy to anchor off of Watermelon Bay and hike West along the Leinster Bay Trail until you reach the steps leading up to the Plantation entrance.

Family Friendly: Easy hike that leads to a really neat history lesson on the island's beginnings. Nearby trails provide scenic views of the neighboring islands.

Gem Type: Historic Site