With the St. Croix Heritage Trail now featured on the Internet, people all over the world can now follow the route that highlights the island’s history.
Potential visitors to St. Croix and others interested in the island’s history, culture and nature can log onto the new St. Croix Heritage Trail new web site at www.stcroixheritagetrail.com.
The St. Croix Landmarks Society, which is overseeing the trail project, received funding for the site from the Federal Highway Administration through the Public Works Department. The grant also is funding several Heritage Trail publications and the design and construction of several scenic pullovers and overlooks along the 72-mile length of the trail, project coordinator Nancy Buckingham said.
The web site was developed by a St. Croix business, Media Mate Inc., which specializes in site design, maintenance and promotion. Beach Boy Web Services, a stateside company whose owner wanted to make a contribution to the Landmarks Society, has donated the hosting of the site.
"The project was challenging because there was so much information that needed to be included, in a visually creative and accessible way, on a small budget," web site designer Wendy Solomon said.
While Buckingham declined to say how much the site cost, the overall federal grant for the Heritage Trail was $250,000.
"A community project such as the Heritage Trail certainly benefits from the exposure gained through a web site," Buckingham said. "We are particularly thrilled with the end product."
The site includes photographs, maps, and descriptions of St. Croix’s attractions, agriculture, natural areas, plantations, culture, historic churches, animal life and vegetation. Links are provided to a number of supporting companies and organizations, as well as operators running tours of certain segments along the St. Croix Heritage Trail. A link to the V.I. Tourism Department web site is also included.
For more information about the Heritage Trail, log onto the web site and request a copy of the official brochure, or contact the office, located at 69 King Street in Frederiksted. The telephone number is 340-713-8563.
