Ever since Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands during his second voyage to the New World in 1493, they have proved to be an irresistible lure for more foreign powers than any other territory: The flags of Spain, France, England, Holland, Denmark and the United States have flown over these islands. The first successful colonization attempt commenced officially in 1666, when the Danes took possession of St. Thomas. In 1674, four houses/taverns taverns were built along the waterfront to the west of Fort Christian-until then the only structure built on the coastline of the mostly agricultural colony. These taverns were so popular with the early settlers and the rough-and-tumble seamen who called at St. Thomas that the tiny settlement became known as Taphus, or Beer Hall. The name remained in use until 1691, when the town was renamed Charlotte Amalie (Ah-MAHL-yah) in honor of the wife of King Christian V. Then in 1917, during World War 1, the United States bought the Virgin Islands for a total of $25 million in gold. Prosperity returned to the U.S.V.I. after World War 11, primarily because of the islands' free-port status and the general increase in air and sea travel. In the late 1950s, when Cuba was closed as a port to American travelers, St. Thomas moved into a new position of importance as a preeminent tourist mecca.