Charlotte Amalie may have the largest number of step streets of any city in the world. An integral part of the city’s street system since its early days, step streets are used on a daily basis by downtown residents and workers. The VI Lottery is celebrating these historic landmarks on the November 12th Traditional Lottery ticket.
Twenty step streets will be featured, some in pristine condition while many need restoration and beautification. “The Lottery recognizes St. Thomas’ step streets as an important part of our architectural heritage” said A.C. Burgess, special assistant to the Director for the V.I. Lottery. “We also support the work the St. Thomas Historical Trust is doing to bring these step streets back to their original glory.”
It is believed that step streets were created when plans for the town laid out by Danish engineers from afar were too steep for conventional streets. The steps were created to continue and connect streets and neighborhoods as an improvised solution.
Trevor Milner and Ronnie Lockhart of the St. Thomas Historic Trust were instrumental in providing modern day and historic photos of the streets, many well-known tourist spots such as “99 steps.” According to Milner, many of the streets are decaying due to neglect. “Over the years many of these step streets, although used daily by hundreds of Virgin Islanders on their way to school, work and their personal business, have been allowed to run down and in some cases are severely decayed due to neglect and lack of maintenance.” The Historical Trust is bringing attention to the streets with guided tours and raising funds to refurbishing efforts.
The Step Street ticket can be seen on the VI Lottery Web site at www.winusvilottery.com. Tickets are on sale Thursday, Oct. 28 through the drawing date of Friday, Nov. 12. Individual tickets are $1.50 each. Full sheets are $30. The grand prize is $175,000 with a total of $330,000 in prizes available. Tickets are available at dealers outside any VI Lottery office, Anna’s Market, MoneyGram locations, Sunny Isle Office – St. Croix and other dealers.
For more information, contact A.C. Burgess of the Virgin Islands Lottery at 774-2502.
Twenty step streets will be featured, some in pristine condition while many need restoration and beautification. “The Lottery recognizes St. Thomas’ step streets as an important part of our architectural heritage” said A.C. Burgess, special assistant to the Director for the V.I. Lottery. “We also support the work the St. Thomas Historical Trust is doing to bring these step streets back to their original glory.”
It is believed that step streets were created when plans for the town laid out by Danish engineers from afar were too steep for conventional streets. The steps were created to continue and connect streets and neighborhoods as an improvised solution.
Trevor Milner and Ronnie Lockhart of the St. Thomas Historic Trust were instrumental in providing modern day and historic photos of the streets, many well-known tourist spots such as “99 steps.” According to Milner, many of the streets are decaying due to neglect. “Over the years many of these step streets, although used daily by hundreds of Virgin Islanders on their way to school, work and their personal business, have been allowed to run down and in some cases are severely decayed due to neglect and lack of maintenance.” The Historical Trust is bringing attention to the streets with guided tours and raising funds to refurbishing efforts.
The Step Street ticket can be seen on the VI Lottery Web site at www.winusvilottery.com. Tickets are on sale Thursday, Oct. 28 through the drawing date of Friday, Nov. 12. Individual tickets are $1.50 each. Full sheets are $30. The grand prize is $175,000 with a total of $330,000 in prizes available. Tickets are available at dealers outside any VI Lottery office, Anna’s Market, MoneyGram locations, Sunny Isle Office – St. Croix and other dealers.
For more information, contact A.C. Burgess of the Virgin Islands Lottery at 774-2502.
