Fredensborg

Search for "fredensborg" in this document.
http://stx.visharoots.org/pubs/bethlehem.pdf

Thanks for the link. That's actually a very interesting document. I was looking, however, for more recent information about the community behind and to the west of Kingshill Cemetary and the dispute between its residents -- largely Spanish-speaking people from the DR and PR -- and the government over ownership of the land. That is, how did the community begin? What is the current legal status of the residents? Were they ever able to obtain ownership via, say, an adverse possession argument? Does the STX community still abide the negative presumption that this is a dangerous shantytown? Stuff like that.

Again, many thanks for any history.

I believe it sprung up after Hugo but that's all I know.

That's a very interesting question, which I would also like to hear the answer to. I've heard a few rumblings about it on talk radio over the past couple years, not much though. My understanding from what I've heard is that they're there illegally and are basically squatters that are not paying any property tax. The government doesn't want to touch it because the people of that community are part of a large voting block, so govt doesn't want to piss off anybody. I don't know if any of what I stated is fact, but that's just what I've heard.

If they are here illegally, they cannot be voting.

fyi...I was referring to illegally being on the Fredensborg land, and was not talking about citizenship status.

Thanks Cruz, was wondering about that.
If the VI Gov. continues to allow them to squat on land that does not belong to them, whomever owns the land, will lose it due to adverse possession laws as IT mentioned.

I believe the land is V.I. govt land.

It is government land. Or was, depending on whether any adverse possession argument has been advanced on their behalf. I have heard a story that -- for all her MANY faults -- Chuckie actually pushed a bill through the VI Legislature that did just that, i.e., allowed the residents some sort of property rights, but I cannot confirm it.

Interestingly, "Fredensborg" was also the name of a well-known Danish slaver that worked the triangle between Denmark, Africa, and STX in the 1700s. I find it terribly sad that this name lives on to designate a community residing in such perilous circumstances.

The reason for my inquiry ... I recently met and worked with three incredibly talented young men who reside there and was shocked to learn of its location and description. I have only been able to dig up one old VIDN article about the community and am looking for more information.

Again, many thanks for any insights.

I used to go out there with Youth With a Mission on a regular basis. We took food at times and picked up students and did tutoring. All of the kids there would come to the summer ministry camps and I always loved the Fredensborg kids. There are some very bright kids out there and some are living in pretty rough conditions. It's a tight knit community from what I saw. We put up a basketball goal out there for Christmas one year and I wonder if it's still standing. My family is moving back to St. Croix to work with Youth With a Mission and I hope to go back out to Fredensborg and see some of our former students.

Fredensborg was named for a town in Denmark. It means peaceful castle. Unfortunately they also named a frigate the same name that turned out to be a slave ship. I prefer to think of that area as a peaceful place for which it was named.

It is government land. Or was, depending on whether any adverse possession argument has been advanced on their behalf. I have heard a story that -- for all her MANY faults -- Chuckie actually pushed a bill through the VI Legislature that did just that, i.e., allowed the residents some sort of property rights, but I cannot confirm it.

If the residents are granted property rights under adverse posiession will they have to pay property taxes?

 

It is government land. Or was, depending on whether any adverse possession argument has been advanced on their behalf. I have heard a story that -- for all her MANY faults -- Chuckie actually pushed a bill through the VI Legislature that did just that, i.e., allowed the residents some sort of property rights, but I cannot confirm it.

If the residents are granted property rights under adverse posiession will they have to pay property taxes?

No idea, foodie. Want me to ask my old boss? 😛 This is the one time I'd probably be better off calling up Chuckie.

 

I thought the town in DK was named for the castle/palace of the same name that was built in the 1700s and named "peace castle" (a/k/a "fredens borg" ) to commemorate the end of some war between DK and Sweeden. It is the Danish royal family's spring and fall residence.

Either way, I'm stealing it. Don't sue me for residuals. Thanks for the heads up

ETA: elimination of accidental emoticon

Fredensborg was named for a town in Denmark. It means peaceful castle. Unfortunately they also named a frigate the same name that turned out to be a slave ship. I prefer to think of that area as a peaceful place for which it was named.

Yes, there is a castle there. This can be said for most of Denmark!! I am sure I have been there. Been to so many of them.

Bump.

Still looking for info. Please don't make me resort to calling Chuckie.

Maybe check the library, historical records or Property deed for the site.