Love City

[pjayer]

Bayer and I were wondering how STJ got the name Love City. Anyone want to tell the story? Thanks.

[Gromit]

I've never come across an explanation for this in any of the books about STJ that I have read-- and I've read quite a few. I am fascinated by the history of the islands.

I can't recall any serious explanation but I'm willing to bet that the name Love City showed up in the 1960's when you had a lot of free love folks and hippie types (and I use these terms with the greatest affection) looking to escape the mainland, the war in Vietnam etc. to start a new life.

The book St. John People:
http://www.americanparadisepublishing.c ... eople.html

makes no mention of this nickname in the interviews with these colorful character that I recall. But any serious StJphile should get a copy of this book. IT's such an interesting ethnogoraphy of the island's characters and personalities. Some of whom, sadly, are no longer with us.

I'd be interested in chatting with Moe (at Skinny's) or even Guy Benjamin-- maybe Lonnie at StJ Car rental or Peter Muilenberg to find out what their opinion is.

I had a really long talk with Lonnie one day about how she arrived on island and how they ended up in the car rental business.

Anyway, if someone has a better answer I'd love to hear it!

[hugo]

Yep, it was certainly that era. St. John was Love City , St. Thomas was Rock City and St. Croix was....I can't remember (like a lot of things from those days)....
Fun, though.

[hugo]

Actually, I think it was a DJ on the St. Thomas top -40 radio station that started it, circa 1974.

[Captain John]

Hugo is correct. Llewellyn “Big Lew” Sewer of Love City Car Ferries (Capt Vic) was a dj on STT and named the Islands Rock City for St Thomas, St. Croix isTwin City, Chocolate City for Tortola and Love City for St John.

Capt John

[pjayer]

Interesting. Thanks for the answers, folks.

And, Hugo, don't feel bad. There's a lot I can't remember and much more I'd like to forget. I'm sure I had fun, though.

[bayer40601]

Ain't it great to know people who know stuff.

[StJohnRuth]

It's true, it's true, what Captain John said.

[hugo]

Well, I'll grant you it WAS Lew Sewer, but it was BIG LEW, father of the Love City barge owner. He passed away quite a few years ago, I'd say before we had car barges.

[StJohnRuth]

It's a good thing they had radios.

[soxfan22]

I'd be interested in chatting with Moe (at Skinny's) or even Guy Benjamin

We had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Benjamin in July - he is an unbelievably nice man. He had a sign outside of his property in Coral Bay (kind of across the street from skinny's) advertising that he had copies of his new book "My Beloved Virgin". So, I pulled in the driveway, walked though a million birds/geese, knocked on his door, and he invited us in. Couldn't have been more gracious...My wife had been wanting to read his book, and he was nice enough to autograph her copy for us. That was one of the highlights of our trip this time.

[pjayer]

It's true, it's true, what Captain John said.

There you are. I knew you were out there somewhere, Sweets.

And we do love St John stories.

[Gromit]

I was hoping to get over to see Mr. Benjamin this December and to buy a copy of his book.

He is a STJ icon and is responsible for the foundation of the schools on STJ and getting ferry service established from STJ to STT so that the school children could continue their education at the High School level on STT. It's my understanding that he also helped to bring electricty to the island by working with elected officials and other islanders.

I highly reccommend picking up a copy of "ST. John People" for anyone who has a serious interest about STJ.

[Lex]

I've really enjoyed Guy Benjamin's books. They provide a taste of what life was like on STJ in the pre-tourism era. They also lend perspective about how much things have changed just in one person's lifetime. STJ's elders are passing on and these books have added value in preserving the stories and making them accessible.

[jaq w]

I picked up his books at the National Park office (trip before last 2006). I was surprised (and thrilled) to see that they were autographed. But what really surprised me was that Guy Benjamin had included his home phone number.