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Here’s an article about President Truman’s visit to the USVI in 1948 to commemorate the freeing of the slaves 100 years earlier. He calls Charlotte Amalie “the prettiest place I had ever seen.” Truman saw some of the sugar cane plantations still in operation on St. Croix. My guess is that the trip was widely reported in the mainland press and helped to open the USVI to widespread ship and air travel after World War II.
Click on 22 February to go directly to the USVI part of the trip.
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/calendar/travel_log/key1947/puertorico_toc.htm
Posted : November 26, 2004 10:01 am
Good stuff FOG. I have a picture of him that I found on Ebay at Drakes Seat! There he was sitting in my father's '48 White Packard convertible, with his signature hat in the air pose, as they drove off on the rest of their tour. WIth him was my Uncle Bill (Gov. William H. Hastie) who had convinced his brother in law to borrow the Packard! My Mother has others that she promises to share with me and the story helps with the hearsay that I have heard!
Ronnie
Posted : November 26, 2004 11:12 am
Topic starter
Ronnie,
I find it hard to believe that a civilian car would be used to transport the president. Times have certainly changed. Who was driving it?
Posted : November 26, 2004 8:44 pm
One article I read said that when the President's chaffeur saw the roads over here, he opted out. My Uncle's chaffeur drove.
Ronnie
Posted : November 26, 2004 9:46 pm
Topic starter
Funny, but it makes sense-a D.C. chauffeur suddenly confronted with steep dirt roads, no guard rails at the cliffs, etc. It looks like your Uncle’s chauffeur might be on the far left of the photo on page 31 of the website-an apparently West Indian man in a hat and tie.
Posted : November 27, 2004 10:16 am