📖 About Charlestown

Charlestown is the capital of Nevis island in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Established around 1660, it soon became the capital and was once the seat of the Leeward Islands Government until the 1720s.

Originally called Bath Bay for its curative waters, Charlestown is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers and the face of the $10 bill.

The town features charming Georgian architecture with unique earthquake-resistant construction—stone lower floors with timber upper levels—creating a distinctive Caribbean colonial character.

🎯 Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Charlestown is Nevis's main administrative and commercial center, with a modern port connecting to St. Kitts by ferry. Tourism is the primary economic driver.

The town preserves its Georgian heritage through careful restoration. About half of existing structures date from 1850-1900, creating a well-preserved historical atmosphere.

The nearby Montpelier Estate ruins mark where British naval hero Horatio Nelson married Fanny Nisbet in 1787, adding to the island's rich historical significance.

📜 History

Charlestown became the chief town after Jamestown, Nevis's first settlement, was destroyed by a tidal wave in 1680. It was almost destroyed by fire in 1873.

Alexander Hamilton was born here in 1755 or 1757. Hamilton would go on to become the first U.S. Treasury Secretary and a key architect of the American financial system.

Today, Charlestown maintains its colonial charm while serving as the heart of Nevis, attracting visitors with its history, beaches, and the majestic backdrop of Nevis Peak.