Christiansted in St. Croix, Virgin Islands — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
Native American Village and Ceremonial Site
Columbus Landing Site
| | National Historic Landmark | |
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 31, 2012
1. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
This site marks the only point on the United States Territory where members of the crew of Christopher Columbus came ashore on his second voyage to the New World in November 1493. It also relates to the first recorded altercation between Europeans and the native people of the western hemisphere, at a point on the other side of the bay, known as Cape of Arrows. The site on which you stand was a Native American village and ceremonial site, and includes the site of the only known ball court (or batey) in the lesser Antilles. Later after the demise of the native population on St. Croix, an earthen fort was erected, the remains of which can be seen, and was successfully occupied by European powers, including the English (1641-1645-50), Dutch (1642-1645, and French (1650-51) (1665-1733). In 1788 a Danish Customs House was built nearby to thwart smuggling, and during the 1920s. Danish archaeologists carried out extensive excavations on the prehistoric village site.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 14, 1493.
Location. 17° 46.728′ N, 64° 45.534′ W. Marker is in Christiansted in St. Croix, Virgin Islands
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Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, in in the Atlantic Ocean, in North America, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Jacob Lindberg House (approx. 4.2 miles away); Christiansted Wharf (approx. 4.2 miles away); 12 King Street (approx. 4.2 miles away); Danish Customs House (approx. 4.3 miles away); Fort Christiansvaern (approx. 4.3 miles away); Steeple Building (approx. 4.3 miles away); Fort Frederik (approx. 9.3 miles away); Oscar E. Henry Customs House (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Christiansted.
Additional keywords. This marker is on the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2012
2. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
The GPS Coordinates are 17.7789N 64.7593W
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 31, 2012
3. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2012
4. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 31, 2012
5. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 31, 2012
6. Native American Village and Ceremonial Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 2, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
