Inlaid stone map standing in front of Sint Maarten's iconic Courthouse. I am standing on the Captain Hodge Wharf. |
This photo is dated 1898 and is the oldest photograph I found that illustrates what is now the Courthouse. |
A celebration is taking place in front of this early photo. Not sure if it was the Courthouse at the time. |
Taken from the Wharf. Fishing boats can be seen in the foreground. |
Another photograph taken from the Capt. Hodge Wharf. |
A cannon can be seen in the foreground with the Courthouse in the background. |
A post card that tells you it is the Town Square and Town Hall. |
"You Are Now On The Friendly Island, Enjoy Yourself says the sign on the left in this postcard. |
Photo I recently took showing a close view of the Courthouse. In this photo you can see the pineapple on the top of the roof. |
Another photo I took of the Courthouse showing the size of the structure. |
Hi Larry It was great to visit with you and Carol. Hope you both are feeling better and enjoyed your trip..
ReplyDeleteFYI, the old car passing the courthouse belonged to Diederick's father. Besides taking the family for Sunday drives, he also used the car as a taxi and to transport children to and from school.
Barbara
Barbara, I have made the corrections to the photo's caption. Neat to have something to tie the photo to current day. Thanks for the info. Larry
ReplyDeleteIs there a date on the postcard with the all blue sky and the Friendly Island sign, cos my mother painted this scene and the sign is in her picture. I was wondering when she painted it. Her picture is identical to that postcard.
ReplyDeleteDear Holly, I saw a similar postcard in the small museum that is directly off Front Street in downtown Philipsburg, but the postcard pictured in my story was one that I found online. My wife and I plan to return to Sint Maarten in the fall and I will try to stop once again and see if I can find a date on the postcard. I may be able to ask someone at the museum about your mother if you would care to give me her name. Thanks for reading my story. LDub
ReplyDeleteHi, nice article. However the courthouse was never the home of Mr. Philips. The building was constructed under the commission of Dr. Willem Hendrink Rink one of the early governors of the island. This was done because the island council did not have a proper building to meet in. Early letter to the Dutch government requesting financial help proves this.
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