FORT AMSTERDAM - The perfect Spot For A Centry...

PIETER STUYVESANT - The Dutch Still Rule Today...

The walls of the fort were originally made from earth and wooden planks. The structure was reinforced at first with ten cannons and accommodated at first a garrison of 80 men.

This fort which was built to keep enemies at a distance who might conquer the land with its valuable salt ponds from the Dutch, did not, however perform its function.

As early as 1633, a Spanish fleet consisting of 53 war ships 42 merchant ships sailed into Great Bay beyond the shooting range of the fort. The Spaniards attacked the Dutch garrison on land and took possession of the fort.

They reinforced it and in addition built a defense in the vicinity of Point Blanche.

An attempt by the Dutch under the command of Peter Stuyvesant to reconquer the island in 1644 failed.

The Spaniards - Fifteen Years...

In the 15 years of Spanish occupation, an average of 300 persons were quartered in the fort. At the south side a village emerged with a church and the high limestone walls protected the fort against war ships.

At the end of the eighty years war between Holland and Spain in 1648, The Spaniards left the island and returned to Puerto Rico.

The Dutch who were stationed in St. Eustatius, set course for St. Maarten and took possession of the partly dismantled fort. In 1650 the English made a futile attempt from Anguilla to conquer the island.

Council meetings were held from 1738 until 1793 when a new courthouse was built at Philipsburg.

In 1955 the island government of St. Maarten leased the little bay peninsula to a hotel enterprise that bought the land in 1970.

The peninsula changed hands a few times and was sold to Divi Hotel Corporation in 1987.

Although Divi corporation developed most of the fort property the government of St. Maarten was able to preserve the remainder as a monument.

Many pictures and maps can be found of the original Fort Amsterdam at our local library and museum.

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