The Neighborhoods of Christiansted

Book excerpt: Former residents of the town of Christiansted on the island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands reflect on their childhood days growing up in neighborhoods that were nurturing and teeming with traditions and cultural. The participants' stories tell of childhood friends, games, foods, prominent merchants, historical figures, masquerades, and colorful characters who lived in Watergut, Free Gut, Gallows Bay, and other neighborhoods. The stories are about life in a Caribbean town that had Danish and English influences and after 1917 an American influence. The photographs reflect the time period 1910-1960, and in addition, several cultural artifacts are depicted in the stories.