In 1742, there were about 240 plantations on Saint Croix. About half grew cotton and the rest were devoted to sugarcane. By 1803, over 26,000 slaves planted, cultivated and processed sugarcane. Then slavery was abolished in 1848 while sugarcane prices plummeted. Soon, the economy of Saint Croix was destroyed and the plantations were abandoned. You can walk among the shadows of this era at the Estate Whim Living Museum. There are several buildings on the 12 acre property dating back to the 1760s. Included are these ruins of the sugar mill and chimney.
