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Excerpted from St. John Off The Beaten
Track ©
2006 Gerald Singer
Cathrineberg is located on Johns Head Road just about 100
yards north off Centerline Road. The windmill and surrounding
ruins are the property of the National Park and may be visited
by the public. The Cathrineberg windmill has been restored
and is in excellent condition. Beneath it is an old stone warehouse
with arched passageways.
The horsemill, across the road from
the windmill has been converted to a cistern that used to serve
as a fresh water pond containing attractive aquatic plants,
until it was allowed to crumble and decay. The remains of the
sugar factory and rum still are near the intersection of Centerline
Road and John Head Road.
Either by design or by geographical coincidence, the windmills
at Cathrineberg, Susanaberg and Peace Hill are in perfect alignment.
Look for the tiny “sensitive
plants” near the
road in front of the windmill. They will react to your touch
by closing their leaves.
The 150-acre Cathrineberg plantation was taken up by Judith
Ann Delicat in 1718 just after the Danish colonization of St.
John. The Delicat family also started up two other plantations
that same year, Jochumsdahl A and Jochumsdahl B. Both were
75 acres and adjoined Cathrineberg. These plantations were
eventually consolidated into one 300-acre property known variously
as Jochumsdahl/Cathrineberg, Cathrineberg or Herman Farm.
By 1721, Cathrineberg was harvesting sugarcane and the following
year a sugar factory was completed. In 1797, at the peak of
the sugar boom, 107 people lived at Cathrineberg. One hundred
fifty acres were devoted to sugar and 150 acres to other crops.
There was no unimproved land on the plantation.
Sugar declined as an important crop during the nineteenth
century and Cathrineberg discontinued production in 1896. By
then, most of the estate was devoted to stock raising. By 1915,
Cathrineberg had ceased operations. During the 1940s, an American
named Cory Bishop operated a small farm on the estate.
The remains of his stables and some old farm equipment can
be found via a rougged trail that goes off into the bush from
the road about 100 yards passed the windmill.
Beware of Jack Spaniard nests while walking in
the bush. They often hang from branches or under leaves just
about eye level.
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