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I* •'................... f APPENDIX B L’ESPERANCE HISTORIC DISTRICT JUL 2 3 1981 DESCRIPTION L'Esperance plantation is located on the high ridge land of St. John 1/4 mile south of Centerline Road on the east border of Cruz Bay Quarter. It was a choice site for agricultural purposes for its soil conditions, permanent spring and relatively high precipitation. As a plantation site, it is a small compact unit with fairly large buildings, that include two horsemills, a factory, a free standing cistern, a storage building, a great house, a cook house, a ser­ vice building, a cemetery, a stone bridge as well as retaining walls, stair­ cases and stone fencing. It «as developed early in the 18th century and has retained features of design and construction in its standing remains of interest for their age and for their variance from the generally accepted layout of plantation sites. The tight grouping of the different units that comprise L'Esperance centered a- round the Great House is exceptional and predates the pattern that characterizes the normal layout. Architecturally it is notable for, the high quality of work­ manship observable in the Great House and Service buildings masonry as well as the use of volcanic sandstone as a building material. This exotic material to the Virgin Islands was probably imported from the Leeward Islands. The masonry remains of the Great House, the south Horsemill and the Service Buil­ ding are in a fair state of preservation. All other structures are badly de­ teriorated. L'Esperance produced sugar in the early 1830's but in the 1840ties discontinued cultivation of cane. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: L'Esperance Historic District is significant for its unusual layout as a sugar plantation and for its association with Governor Eric Bredal, who in the 1720ties owned the plantation and who in 1719 affected the Danish colonization of St. John in the face of British oposition. Latitude Acreage 6h acres 18° 20' 32" Longitude 64P 45'32" There is no UTM references on any published maps of the U.S. Virgin Islands. VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION L'Esperance Historic District is bounded to the West by the trail that from Centerline Road leads to Sieben plantation starting at a point on the trail 250 feet northwest of the storm bridge across Fish Bay Gut and ending 450 feet due I; h. ^ 'V- .-•,-Ti-'W.T''-p«:f».'?T7Wr-:v,i,-r, •j K-TT-: J i: U- ''?■■■• f4 !'v I'. JUL 2 3 1981 south o£ the same bridge, then in an easterly direction for 300 feet across the gut to the bed of the intermittent stream on the east side of the site then following the stream bed in an north and easterly direction for about 700 feet to a point about 225 feet northeast of the expound and then westerly to the starting point on the Centerline-Sieben trail. The boundaries include all parts of the historic resource and enclose a natural topographical area between the two streambeds to the west and east of the district. ■I i''. J '"'Vl s I"; ■ I ■■ "j® • -j T.-, (] Appendix B, Historic District CIASSIFIHD STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT 2 3 1381 REGION Southeast ‘ ■ NTS ORGANIZATION PARK/ARZA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 STRUCTURE NAME New Horsemill. L'Esperance Plantation ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National □ State | 1 STRUCTURE NO. H-5.1 Local 1 X I LOd^TION OF STRUCTURE.^n the L'Esperance trail to Mollendal, ^ mile south of ' iIIeniieL"r1 R n ^ (-1 UTH REFERENCE: A L, J LL I I Zone Easting Li Nor .1. I I thing GLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or district;- _acres. STRUCTURE: b^r°bMe°",^asZ°v Physical Description; The circular horsemill has a diameter of 65'. It is InrnTT^ _on the south and downhill side of the site. Anorp.^rhed Fro^ ^ ------;----r:;---- ------------- rr---- _ ^ uacnen irom i.mp north nt fr-rnd^. ■Igyel, the hQTsermll^l^tform is supported and defined bv retails w;.1lV''rnrt the.south side reached heights of ZO’. These walls have partially Ti--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- —: Iia.vt7 MctiLlciLiV I P 1 1 r? Q tOWn t^e_south and west, but are still in evidence. Fragements of the fonrri..H-o... the grinding mechanism are still apparent. ci. Jiilgsperance Plantation was brought under cultivation earlv and was ^ w^n- _d.eveloped sugar plantation by the ITSOs. A o-n i7 ^ . . — '>i> «.> ■ ^ ,4- CL X r~. j i L r’ I L t M 1 1 t rr - L * I !s 3 Is T~y~> all r* o .pact nnit_\vith faily l?-r?e_,building remains. The new horsemin nmB-^Knr from the early 19th century ■ — m-r Latitude I ti^ZU'3 3'^' Longit'uae b4^45T3Z^ Ru ins PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent{ H Unaltered | x (continue on reverse j.t r.eccsr.arv) Good! Altered [[ Fair ^ Original Site X Detcriorarc<jj_ Moved I -i I JUL 2 3 1981 Appendix B, Histone. STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT REGION Southeast NTS ORGANIZATION park/area name Virgiu Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360____ ^■'Y ' STRUCTURE NAM^*^ld Horse Mill, L'Esperance Plantation ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National I I STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 2 I State Local [3 LOCATION OF STRUCTURE; L'Esperance trail to Mollendal z mile south Centerlin^| UTM REFERENCE: A L_!_J LI __ Zone Easting .1. I 1 I I I Northing CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not , part of a complex or district; ■, acres.| STRUCTURE; Type of, and composition: Roughly circular level area derived.by digging into hillside and filling in-downhill area. Physical Description; The earlier horse mill of the plantation is located to the north of the site andTs~ a platform with a diameter of 50', dug into the uphill' north side and towards the southwest, defined by a retaining wall.. Now part of -rnad tn the newer horspr-nin ?nd the Great House. The old hor.semill. car ho gr T RfV nt^-nl-n-ry t-h ^ prrrllVr ppriod oF SU^ar rn-ns rnH-iv.ntion of L'Esperance Plantation. Latitude 18^20'23" Longitude 64^45‘32' (continue on reverse If necessary') PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent | Good Fair DetcrioratedI Ruins ) Unaltered jX | Altered Original Site X j Moved 1 1 ■ . I; • W ' —-TT" JUL 2 3 1981 Appendix B, Historic District . • CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD IRVj'NTORY REPORT REGION Southeast NTS ORGANIZATION PARK/AREA NAME Virp;in Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 ^ STRUCTURE NAME Factory, L'Esperance Plantation_____________ STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 3 ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National State Local \K [ LOCATION OF STRUCTUREzOn L'Esperance trail to Mollendal :|mile south of Centerline I, UTM REFERENCE: A L J. I I 1. .1. I I Zone Easting Northing CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or district: acres. STRUCTURE: Type of, and composition: Rubble Msonry rectangular in plan Physical Description: The remains of a rectangular masonry structure 60'x25' oriented east-west. Except for the west end of the structure, the walls have topol ec entirely and provide only meager illustration of the former function of the building . ■ Jt does not have the characteristic "T" shaped plan of the conventional sugAr factory of the late ISth century and earlv 19th century and can be presumed to be the re- mains of 18th century construction. Latitude 18'->Z0'23" Longitude b4^'44'32'^ (continue on I'cverse if necers,;rvl PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent Good Fair [_ Dotcrioratedi Ruins } X i Unaltered X Altered Original Site IX Moved 1 Appendix B", Historic District CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT 2 3 198] REGION Southeast , • ' ■ NPS ORGANIZATION PARK/AREA NAME Vir)?in Islands Nat'l Park* CODS NO. 5360 ■ '"■ -N STRUCTURE NAME Free-standing Cistern. L'Esperance Planta- STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 4 dTTn . * ----------— ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National ^1] .State □ Local LOCATION OF STRUCTURE: o t i tr ‘ i --------------------- -------- On L Esperance trail to Mollendal Tmile south U'D-I REFERENCE: L. Zone LI __ Easting J. I of Centerline i; I I I f Northing CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or district:... ______ acres, i Type of, and composition: Plastered rubble masonry rectangular in plan and one story high. ^ ' Physical Description;-___ The free-standing cistern is a small masonry structure immc.rliately \y?st of the factory measuring I6'x8'. It is cHvi-ded into ,>nn.l ~ ^ *«-» e t-t-v -^11 _i t-r-, i ^ ^ ---------vw I. ixci.v.ywxv uririLI i o xo ' ■ Jl IS cnvicloci intO nvn enn.->1■ . s.eqtions - a small storage area and a cistern. The walls stand to their Till heieht. -•L'Esperance Plantation was brought under cultivation early in the 18th cencury ^^^,ell developed ?uear plantation bv 1780. Inadenu^te nrev.^nts of ex;suncr pe.mains of its bujldinas. They Probably rancre thrnnah tUo l_8th century and the early 19th century. “— Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64'^44'32" PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent Good Unaltered j X Altered (continue on reverse if necessary) Fair Original Site Deterioratedl X i Moved i Lsi Ji I ;■ " X ■ M 2 3 1S8I Appendix B, Historic District j? ■ , ■ ’ CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT RTS ORGANIZATION BARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 REG ION Southeast_____ r j' STRUCTURE N'lirfe Storage Building, L'Esperance Plantation STRUCTURE NO. H-5,5 ■ ^ ' • . * ■ ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National } 1 State [H| Local fxl LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:on L'Esoerance trail to Mollendal ^mile south of Centerline l’ UTM REFERENCE: A 1 iJLI 1 CLASS VI LAND ACRELiGE (if not I 1 1 1 1 1 part of a complex or district: Zone Easting Northing acres. STRUCTURE: Type of, and composition: Plastered rubble masonry one story rectangular in plan._______________ ■_____________________ Physical Description: A one-story masonry structure 12'x25' immediately west of the cistern with doors in both gable ends and two window openings in each long wall. ■ Assumed to be a storage building because of its proximity to the free - standing cistern and the factory building. It.lacks identifying features and may have served several purposes.;;; Latitude 18°20'23" Longitude 64°45'32" (continue on reverse .1f necessaI'v 1 PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent j Good Fair i Deteriorated! Ruins X 1 Unaltered jX j Altered Original Site ] X Uoved i1 ■^i I pjr-.. Appendix B, Historic District CLASSIFIED .STRUCTURE FIELD INVI’.KTORY REPORT REGION Southeast NTS ORGANIZATION park/area name Virp^in Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 ( STRUCTURE NAME r,re^ House. L'Esperance Plantation ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National State STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 6 Local } [ LOCATION 0? STRUCTURS:Qn L'Esperance trail to Mollendai ^miie suutu V./J. XAAAX- A. UTM REFERENCE: A !II LI— Zone I I Easting j ! Northing CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not I part of a complex or district: j acres. I ________________ ' • —________ s STRUCTUREt Type of, and composition: Rxibble and cut stone one-story masonry base former v/ood building rectangular in plan. Physical Description: The Great Hovise ruin is the best preserved of all structvires of the L'Esperance Plantation site. It is located 30' west of the new liorsemillc .-ind 45' north and uphill of the factory. The considerable grade difference between the site of the latter and the Great House is regulated by a narrow terracc-fronting the Great House, supported on a fragmented retaining wall and a steep bank.[!Cil.GL_liau.se had a masonry ground floor measuring 46'x34'that supported a wood superstructure The ground floor walls stand to their full height. The north and part of the \vest__ •wall act as retaining wall for the level area that fronted the yard side of the Great . House. The walls, are rubble masonry with cut and dressed stone around openinjis and at corners and with articulated quoins on the free-standing exterior L'acc?.__In plan it is divided into an enclosed room 20' wide that runs the full length of the building and a IZ' wide, partially open gallery on the south and factory side of the The east wall of the structure continues as a retaining wall for the ter- un to buildinp;. ___ _ ____________________ _______________________________________ _____ race to the north and masonry steps along the west wall of the buildine lead tLJ LlIC 1 J.C1. V/* t J. Y wr ----- r- -T - a «, -W.a, t-,» .1 this terrace level. The stonework is handsomely finished and the execution very F!vrent for traces nfber^ms and niates nothinri' remains nf the wood. Latitude 1S“20'23" Longitude 64°45'32" (continue on reverse if Ticccssarvl PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent Good Fair 1 Deteriorated! Ruins j xl Unaltered v Altered Original Site Moved Physical Description; The cookhouse is located north and slightly west of the r;rp?it 'Rnnsp 7\f a dis1-?'-nrp oF 3-npro>rim?itp1y 25 Feet on the level north terrace. The rubble masonry and brick walls stand from 4' to 6' out of the ground. The building measures 22'xl6' and has the unusual feature of two masonry cooking ranges ■* apainst the interior short walls of the structure, with a brick Dutch oven iii) the Renfhwe.s^- iuterior corner, contemporary^ with the Great House and probably of a late 18th century date.__________________________________________ • CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD Ih’VI'.KTORY REPORT NPS ORGANIZATION PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 REG ION Southeast STRUCTURE NO. H-5. 7 • STRUCTURE NAME rnhiTHouse. L'Esoerance Plantation State [3 ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National [ LOCATION OF STRUCTURE:^;. On L'Hsne-rance trail to Mollendal -rmile south of Centerli.ne ■ CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if noC UTM REFERENCE: part of a complex or.district Northing Zone ■ Easting STRUCTURE; Type of, and composition; Rubble and brick masonry one story building rectangvilar in plan. Latitude 18^20'23" Longitude 64^44'32" (continue on reverse if necessary~) PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent 1 Good Fair j j Deterioratedi Ruins xj Unaltered | Altered Original Site 1 X I'.oved i T 2 3 «5r . Appendix B, Historic District classified .structure field inventory report j 1 .'3 ! REGION Southeast NFS ORGANIZATION PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 STRUCTURE NAME 4§J/vice Building. L'Esperance Plantation STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 8 ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National □ ^State □ Leal LOCATION OF STRUCTURE; L'Esoerance trail to Mollendal 4-miIe south of Centerline U UTM REFERENCE: r—— - 'Ll,If fT I I I I Zone . Easting \ 1 I ! Northing CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or district:--j _ __ acres. i STRUGTURE; Type of, and composition: Rubble and brick masonry one story building • "L." shaped in plan. Physical Description; The service bxTilding is an "L." shaped rubble masonry gixxicture. measuringr 30'x22' west of the cook house, and on the same level. It contained two rooms and another Dutch oven constructed in brTrk- Thg> fn-nrtion of the structure seems to duplicate the smaller but more elaborate cook house and is ■ not entirely nnd e r s tnnd ._____ _’l Latitude 18^-^Z0'Z3" Longitude 64^44'32" !I » ' M PRESENT CONDITION: Ruins 1 y Excellent Unaltered |x Good Altered (continue on reverse .ir necessary’) Fair j | Deteriorated! J Original Site 1 X I Moved j j .<1 • .3 •• t!i JUL 2 V H^t ' ADDendix B, Historic District ^ : . • ■ CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD IXVEKTORY HEPORT & • -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------■"■■ REG ION Southeast NTS ORGANIZATION park/area NAIiE Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360_ ■) STRUCTURE NAME -Rrid^e. T.'Esoerance Plantation • • National 1 { • ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: ___________ STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 9 State I 1 Local LOCL^TION OF STKmJ.LUXc.:On jL'Esperance trail to ivioi-icnuaj. UTM REFE^NCE: A i__«_J L_l—I-_ Zone . Easting 1 _1__ Northing I I CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or district: acres. i i STRUCTURE: Type of, and composition: Arched stone bridge over, gvxt that,separatgs plantation site from old cart road.- Physical Description: The entrance road to Lnrspcranca froTT thq oUl Cdr^l: road that from Centerline Road leads to Sieben and Mdllendal.«Lrosses a small gut., lt_ is Lridcred bv a small sone arch with a span of eis^ht feet and a width of.6 6 . AI.-^ though still standing the bridge abutments towards the north show signs of f,ailure_ •and in their present condition are subjected to serious erosio^----------------__J----------- Latit\;de 18°20'23" Longitude 64 44-'32"_. (continue on reverse.-.if neccssarvl PRESENT CONDITION: Ruins Excellent | Unaltered Good Altered Fairl Deter ioratedpM Original Site ] X | Moved 1 I :J i 4, '^^‘' 2 3 1981 Appendix B; Historic District CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD INVENTORY REPORT REGION Southeast U jJ •'r STRUCTURE NAME Ce^tery, L'Esperance Plantation STRUCTURE NO. H-5,10'; | • r—n I ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE: National 1 I •. State i j . LocalHTl | i < LOCATION OF STRUCTURErOn L'Esperance trail to Mollendal :|mile south of Centerline UTM. REFERENCE: » a . L<_J Li—i ] I 1. .1. I ! CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not part of a complex or.district' Zone Easting N. orthink STRUCTURE: Type of, and composition: A rectangular enclosure defined by rubble masonry walls containing 7 graves marked by raised masonry covers; Phj'sical Description; A cemi.etery is located approximately 60' north of the Great j House it is defined by remains of walls and contains seven graves marked by ' Latitude 18"Z0'Z3" Lonp;itude 64^44'32' (continue on reverse'-vf necessary') PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent j Good Fair! ] DetcrioratedlX | Ruins j Unaltered j X Altered Original Site X 1 Moved \ raised masonry covers one of which is monumentcd and carries the inscription | "Hf-ndrilc Tnnis Geboren op S. thomas den 15 January 1753 Overleben op S. Janden '* 23 September 1765. " ____ ___ NFS ORGANIZATION ! FARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park' CODE NO. 5360 ■JUL Appendix B,, tlistoxic District ^ 3 /Sg/ ( CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FIELD i:'.?' '^TORY REPORT NFS ORGANIZATION PARK/AREA NAME Virgin Islands Nat'l Park CQDE NO. 5360 REG lONSou'ih t\gst STRUCTURE NAME OxpQnnd. L'Esperance Plantation * ORDER OF SIGNIFICANCE; National d] State [ STRUCTURE NO. H-5, 1 I • Local 1 ji LOCATION OF STRUCTURE;On L'Esperance trail to Mollendal -^nnile south of Centerline K CLASS VI LAND ACREAGE (if not . '• UTH REFE^NCE: •A .l^JTu—i j I j. J L ,Zone Easting Northing part of a complex or district: ___ acres. STRUCTURE: Type of, and composition:A rectangular area enclosed by rubble masonry walls and their collapsed remains._______________ Physical Description; A retangular expound is located north of the Great House and east of the cemetery. It is defined by breast high rubble masonry walls but ■ has no visible traces of a roofed shelter for the cattle as is found in most expounds. Latitude: 18° 20' 23" Tong.: 61*^ HE' 3P" (continue on reverse if neresr-nrv') PRESENT CONDITION: Excellent 1 Good! Fair 1 1 DetcriorareJl Ruins 1 X( Unaltered X Altered Original Site 1 X Moved 1 ' II I'JJPJ- t:- f. F- Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group dnr-11 Name State ' Virgin Islands National Park Multiple Resource Area Nominatim Type of Review 1. Brown Bay Plantation Historic District- >'''2. Rustenberg Plantation South Hist. Distj- ='3. Dennis Bay Hist. Diet. x4. More Hill Hist. Dist. ^ 5. Hermitage Plantation Histi Dist.- ''6. Annaberg Hist. Dist. -J • « 7 America Hill Hist. Dist. i • \ yhi Reef Bay Great House Hist. Dist. K . f ^9. Reef Bay Sugar Factory Hist. Dist. 10. Jossie Gut Hist. Dist. ^Vll. L’Esperance Hist. Dist4 '' - > ^13, Liever Marches Bay Hist. Dist. ^14. Cathrineberg-Jockumsdahl-Herman Farm _ ^ 2^5^ Cinnamon Bay Plantation v ^10, Lameshur Plantation Mary Point Estate -18. Annaberg School ^19^ Trunk Bay Sugar Factory </ 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Decision (^.PiLrOn^ V^-.. 7 * - 7/^1^ previously listed 3-30-76 Previously listed 7-11-78 Previously listed 6-23-78 Previously listed 5-22-78 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ■ W^^.K-'.'.VVU Nam Stated^ Working Number »<^^ination __Determination of Eligiblity On Nomination Form J>U<^ y/s-/^0/~ y/s-i/iz Fed Norn or Request—Agency UtiJ ^/9a u Federal Register Date «g. ~ ,Bldg(s) ✓ Site Maps **" Photos __Object __ Structure District Within: /^-Multiple Resource Area __Thematic Group Nomination prepared by: State Staff ^ Local Other Action: / y j^CCEPT7/y3/y/ RETURN REJECT Check if Appropriate: __State Request for Review __Keeper's Decision to Review 2nd Return I. Evaluation of Resource (eont. on back if necessary) (J ^ I o- (/ n. Evaluation of Nomination 1. Descriptive Staten^nt Short Format i/Tes No 2. Significance Statement Short Format </ Yes No 3. Concepts/Integrity 4. Concepts/Criteria 5. Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation Good Adequate Poor l/ v/ Comments c-co<t. General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date A a'a a <f>~ 7 ^ National Park Service See Attached__ U.S. Department of the Interior \ ' PHE.P UMK MBw n<i)»?^e.niu. ^ ' r ■ ■ , Vig&lH PSLAMP5 APruc^py:. SCAL.H > . '' % . \. ’.' BECEIVED \9B' ^ HAVOm- 1861 £ z inr ■T' ’'"WF- -■: . • ■Si i ■i,. ' ■? ; ■ .Ji HEW t-k5P5e.riiu- l^BSPKKAmE fc'- t f?'.# I -.sS .s';. . ->T' 1861 e 2 inr ^^T-- its _-; .. -i-.-W .J 1- Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64QQQ886 I