U.S. Virgin Islands Colonial Records

Spanish Colonization (1555-1625)
The Spanish settled the islands in 1555. By 1625, the French and British had taken over the islands.

French Colonization (1625-1733)
The French arrived on St. Croix island in 1625. The French sold the island to the Danish in 1733.

British Colonization (1625-1672)
The British arrived on St. Croix island in 1625. The Danish gained control of the three islands between 1672 and 1733.

Danish Colonization (1672-1917)
The Danish settled St. Thomas in 1672, St. John in 1694, and then purchased St. Croix from the French in 1733. The United States purchased these islands in 1917.

United States Colonization (1917-present)
The United States purchased the islands from the Danish in 1917. They continue as United States Territory.