Located along the shoreline of the picturesque St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie is a quaint tropical metropolis with a rich history that goes back centuries. Indeed, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus encountered numerous Native American tribes belonging to the Taino, Arawak, and Ciboney people when he explored the region during his second voyage to the Caribbean in 1493. However, the greater island of St. Thomas did not experience any subsequent European settlement for many decades thereafter until the arrival of Danish colonists during the late 17th century. Overseeing the expedition was the Danish West Indies Company, which had hoped to establish commercial colonies in the Caribbean on behalf of the Danish monarchy. Landing in neighboring St. Thomas Harbor in 1671, the colonists working for the Danish West Indies Company proceeded to build a towering citadel named as “Fort Christian” in honor of the recently crowned King Christian V. Four taverns then debuted next to the fort a couple months later, which subsequently began servicing a number of sugarcane plantations situated deeper into the countryside. Soon enough, those taverns caused countless sailors to seek refuge, including some of the era’s most infamous pirates like Jean Hamlin, Bartholomew Sharp, and William Kidd!  

An extensive community quickly materialized consisting of many merchants who sought to employ the visiting mariners who were now routinely anchoring in St. Thomas Harbor. The Danish government formally incorporated the settlement, officially designating the town as “Charlotte Amalie” after King Christian’s sister, Princess Charlotte Amalie. The newly christened Charlotte Amalie continued to expand exponentially due to the copious quantities of maritime trade that passed through its port annually. Charlotte Amalie’s population grew steadily reaching the size of an actual city by the early 1700s. But the Danish West Indies Company kept a loose administration over Charlotte Amalie, resulting in its predation by pirates throughout the first half of the century. To remedy the situation, local business leaders pressed the Danish government to revoke the company’s charter and make all of St. Thomas a royal colony. Much to their relief, King Frederick V finally acted upon the petitions in 1754. Furthermore, Frederick allowed the city to operate as a “free port,” meaning that traders from around the world could exchange their goods on-site without having to pay customs duties. The designation ignited a commercial renaissance in Charlotte Amalie, incentivizing hundreds of merchants from across North America and Europe to set up shop downtown. The immense economic activity had attracted so many people that Charlotte Amalie had even grown to be one of largest city in the whole Danish Empie, second only to the main capital of Copenhagen. 

A series of fires erupted across the city during the 19th century, which bankrupted many of the inhabitants. Those infernos proved to be a catalyst for the community’s gradual demise, as neighboring islands started to permanently redirect their commerce to different ports in the region. Finding the colony increasingly untenable to manage, the Danish government began considering numerous ways it could divest itself of all its territory in the Caribbean. The Danes sold their colonial settlements in the region to the United States in 1915, which wanted to establish new naval bases in the vicinity for national security purposes. Charlotte Amalie became the capital city for the reorganized American territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as a prominent port for the U.S. Navy. Although Charlotte Amalie is no longer home to a significant military installation, the city has continued to function as the regional capital for the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has seen the emergence of a prosperous tourism industry, driven by its warm, tropical climate and tranquil beaches. Charlotte Amalie itself is one of the most frequently visited destinations within the greater U.S. Virgin Islands, due to its wealth of fascinating cultural attractions such as Fort Christian, Blackbeard’s Castle, and the Hassel Island Historic Site. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is a renowned landmark, with many of its ancient structures listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places! 

Hotel 1829 displays a brilliant, modern take on French Colonial design aesthetics. French Colonial architecture dates to the 17th century immigrants who left France to found new communities across North America and the Caribbean. Yet, French Colonial style in the Americas varied, as different subsets of French society often created their own design aesthetics for their new, respective communities. For instance, Huguenots typically built stone structures, while Cajuns created rectangular, cottage-like edifices. Nevertheless, all French Colonial buildings were unified by a basic set of recognizable principles. Historically speaking, French Colonial buildings tended to consist of a wooden frame and either brick or “bousillage,” which was a compound made of mud, moss, and animal hair. Buildings were both symmetrical and rectangular in nature and were often missing interior corridors. Interestingly, spaces on the inside were usually connected by exterior walkways that wrapped around the length of the building. Those walkways also doubled as grand porches that many French expats referred to as a “galerie.” The rooms were incredibly spacious, with the most attention paid to the parlor. Nonetheless, all the spaces featured typical French doors, multipaned windows, and high ceilings that promoted proper ventilation. French Colonial architecture featured a hipped roof with prominent overhanging eaves that often hug directly over the “galerie.” And in some cases, the buildings would even sit atop elevated foundations. This was particularly true for French structures constructed in tropical climates, as the heightened platforms prevented water from flooding the grounds. (Additional characteristics included a brick chimney, wrought iron balconies, and a smaller, second-story porch.) 

Claude Philippe, renowned hotelier who oversaw the legendary culinary operations at the Waldorf Astoria New York.   

Poppy Cannon, author, and culinary expert who helped establish the idea of convenience food during the 20th century.  

Boris Artzybasheff, illustrator celebrated for his surrealist designs that appeared in magazines like Life, Fortune, and Time.  

Rea Irvin, cartoonist often credited for creating the Eustace Tilly cover portrait for The New Yorker.  

Mary Margaret McBride, prominent radio host remembered as the “First Lady of Radio.” 

Stuart Chase, economist often remembered for coining the term “New Deal” to define President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s political platform.  

Harry Scherman, publisher, and economist who co-founded the Book of the Month Club. 

Cornelius Ryan, military historian known for writing books like The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, and The Last Battle. 

Hakon Mielche, Danish travel writer who was a prominent member of the Adventurer’s Club.  

Don Moore, author best remembered for functioning as the ghost writer for Flash Gordon.  

Vera Maxwell, fashion designer, is credited with creating the innovative concept of sportswear. 

William W. Wright, artist remembered for his pastoral landscape paintings of New England.  

Dana Andrews, actor best known for his roles in Laura and The Best Years of Our Lives.  

Alexis Leger, Nobel Prize-winning poet and diplomat best remembered by his pseudonym, Saint-John Perse.  

Katherine Garrison Chapin, poet best known for her literary contributions to Plain-Chant for America.  

John B. Gambling, popular radio host from New York City’s WOR station who hosted Rambling with Gambling for years. 

Victor Borge, pianist, and comedian remembered for his impressionist humor and deadpan delivery.  

Robin Leach, journalist who is best remembered for hosting the television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.   

Hoagy Carmichael, musician considered to be among the most successful “Tin Pan Alley” songwriters of the early 20th century.   

Ernest Urdărianu, Minister of the Court for King Carol of Romania.  

Muhammad Ali, professional boxer, and civil rights activist regarded as one of the best athletes of the 20th century. 

Walter White, Executive Secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (1929 – 1955.) 

Francis Biddle, 58th United States Attorney General (1941 – 1945) 

King Carol II of Romania (1930 – 1940)