History

The Court House 
Philipsburg's historic courthouse was built in 1793, being renovated several times throughout the years. This relic from the past was originally the home of the town's founder, Commander John Philips.

Being used in the past for the purpose of a jail, a fire station and a post office. Today it is solely used as a court of law. The bell tower houses a 25 bell carillon ( A carillon is a musical instrument that is typically housed in the bell tower ) The Pineapple on the building's roof is an international symbol of WELCOME.

The original symbol, was blown away in a storm and Australian master shipwright Frank Gonsalves carved the pineapple in 1996

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The Border Monument
In 1648 two nations agreed to divide the island with the signing of the Treaty of Concordia. Folklore claims that two individuals, one French and Dutch, started walking towards each other from opposite ends of the island, and where they met the monument would be erected.

In the end, the French individual walked faster than the Dutch counterpart. In 1948 a border monument with the usual flags was erected on the main highway between Philipsburg and Marigot, celebrating 300 years of coexistence between St. Maarten and St. Martin. Being the smallest landmass in the world shared by two larger nations.