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Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins: Echoes of St. John's History

Step back in time at Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins, exploring St. John's captivating history and the echoes of its sugar plantation era.

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Explore the historic Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins, a 1717 Danish sugar plantation on St. John, USVI. Wander through the remains of the sugar factory, manor house, and slave quarters, gaining insight into the island's complex past and the lives of those who once lived and worked here.

A brief summary to Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins

  • 962W+H68, Rte 20, Great Cinnamon Bay, Great Cinnamon Bay, St John, 00830, VI

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven surfaces and exploring the ruins.
  • Bring water to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months.
  • Take your time to read the informative signs and learn about the history of the plantation.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to Cinnamon Bay Beach for a relaxing day of sun and sand.
  • Arrive early, especially during peak season, to secure parking.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Cruz Bay, taxis are readily available near the ferry dock. A typical fare to Cinnamon Bay is around $11 per person. The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes along North Shore Road/Route 20. Taxis can also be open-air safari buses, offering a scenic ride.

  • Public Transport

    The VITRAN public bus service runs between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, with a stop at Cinnamon Bay. The bus fare is $1 per person. Check the schedule for accurate timings, as buses run approximately once an hour. The bus stop is located on North Shore Road/Route 20.

  • Walking

    If you are already at Cinnamon Bay Beach, the ruins are located just across the street. A short walk from the beach access path will bring you to the entrance of the Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins. The trail is a 0.5-mile loop and takes about 30 minutes to walk.

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Discover more about Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins

The Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins offer a captivating glimpse into St. John's rich history. Established in 1717 by the Danes, Cinnamon Bay was one of the earliest and most prosperous sugar plantations on the island. The ruins, now part of the Virgin Islands National Park, include the remnants of a sugar factory, a plantation house, and slave quarters, providing a poignant reminder of plantation life. Visitors can explore the expansive grounds, following a marked trail with informative signs that detail the plantation's past and the lives of its inhabitants. Discover the ingenious engineering of the sugar mill, with its circular mill wall and openings for the massive rollers that crushed the sugarcane. Imagine the labor-intensive process of extracting juice, boiling it down to produce sugar and molasses, and storing the final product. The ruins also include the Cinnamon Bay Estate Home, which served as the residence for the plantation's owners and managers. Two cemeteries and a warehouse are also part of the ruins. As you wander through the ruins, take note of the diverse plant life, including the Tyre Palm, St. John's only native palm, and the Bay Rum Tree, whose leaves were used to make the famous St. John Bay Rum. The sounds of nature are powerful in this area. The National Park Service, in collaboration with local and international organizations, has undertaken extensive preservation efforts to ensure that future generations can appreciate this historical site.

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