Spanish Town

Some say that Virgin Gorda [1]’s main settlement, Spanish Town, got its name from the Spaniards who settled there in the early 1500s. Others say that Spanish Town is a corruption of the town’s early name, Penniston.

In 1680, Spanish Town became the first seat of government in the British Virgin Islands. In 1717, the first census of the island found 317 whites living on Virgin Gorda and 303 blacks, more than were living on Tortola [2] at the time. In 1742, the capital of the territory moved to Tortola, where it has remained since.

Today, Spanish Town is one of the most picturesque villages in the British Virgin Islands. Unrestrained by hills, it sprawls along a gentle slope, an attractive mix of homes, shops, churches, and schools. It is a nice place to walk.