The Buccaneer Resort St Croix History | Resorts in St. Croix
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History of The Buccaneer

Learn More About Our Relationship With St. Croix

One of the most legendary points of interest in the Virgin Islands, The Buccaneer is a completely modern hotel with a history as fascinating as that of St. Croix itself. It was in 1653 that Charles Martel, a Knight of Malta, constructed the first building on Estate Shoys, where The Buccaneer is located. 

One of the most legendary points of interest in the Virgin Islands, The Buccaneer is a completely modern hotel with a history as fascinating as that of St. Croix itself. It was in 1653 that Charles Martel, a Knight of Malta, constructed the first building on Estate Shoys, where The Buccaneer is located. 

This French Greathouse was placed out of sight of the sea to protect from roving foes. Later, after the Danes bought the island in 1733, Governor von Prock built his home on the estate, turning the French Greathouse into a sugar factory and erecting the sugar mill, which is as it was in the days when sugar was king.

Michael Shoy, from whom the area known as Estate Shoys received its name, bought the estate from von Prock and began growing cotton. Later, the Heyliger Company raised cattle here.

Finally in 1947, the Armstrong family, who had owned and operated the cattle estate since 1922, opened The Buccaneer for business with eleven guest rooms. It was the first hotel in St. Croix to be built and operated by an island family. The hotel is currently owned by Elizabeth Armstrong, the 3rd generation of the Armstrong family.

B&W photograph of the Hotel at The Buccaneer Resort St. Croix

Guests, known as "continentals," made a two-day trip from the mainland to stay at The Buccaneer and often mixed their own drinks, helped rake the beach, paint furniture and plan meals. In the early days before modern tourism attractions, guests gathered nightly for cocktails. Today, The Buccaneer offers live music and fine dining for nightlife diversions but maintains the repertoire of cocktails popular among early guests, including Cruzan Confusion, Raising Cane, Caribbean Sunset and Jump-Up-and-Kiss-Me. 

"Fighting Ships" mural by the famous artist, Stanley Stubenberg, is showcased in The Buccaneer's Lounge. Learn more about Stubenberg's time on St. Croix online

View Our Prominent Guests Who Stayed at The Buccaneer PDF
Historical Painting at Christiansted Museum near The Buccaneer Resort St. Croix