1979 Hurricane Frederic had just hit St Maarten and we had to sign a release from American Airlines. The release stated that they not be held liable for loss of hotel room if we continued on to SXM. We were on the first flight into SXM from NY after the hurricane and since we had friends who had built a home on Morning Dove Rd in Point Blanche we did not see a problem. We stayed at what was then the Divi Hotel and did not rent a car. We walked every day from the Divi to our friends in Point Blanche and some times we did it twice a day. We ate at The Seaview in the cafe by the Sea Grapes. We met many local's, all with the family name of Richardson, went to the local radio station and sat while our friends gave an interview about the Hurricane damages.
Front street had many residential homes and a very friendly feel. Even though there were no lights along Front Street we felt very safe and quite often walked it at night.
The Casino's at Divi and the Seaview did not allow local people into them and had a restriction as to how often they were allowed in.
It seemed back then there were more Pelicans and Sugar birds and dogs on the Island.
I still love going and still stay in Phillipsburg.