Sugar Mill Ruins
- 600 Mission Dr, New Smyrna Beach, FL
The Sugar Mill Ruins in New Smyrna Beach Florida is a historical site that dates back to 1830. In 1970, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is located at 600 Mission Drive in New Smyrna. If you decide to go, watch for the entrance carefully, some people say that it is easy to miss.
The history behind the ruins is an interesting story. A man named William Kemble built a steam-operated sugarcane mill and a sawmill on the site for William DePeyster and Henry Cruger, businessmen from New York. In those days, sugar was quite a valuable commodity, much like oil is today. And like oil, the process of producing sugar was hard, dangerous work. The mills were built on six hundred acres of land that Cruger had bought from Ambrose Hull, a local Episcopal minister. The site’s operations were short-lived however, because on Christmas Day in 1835, a band of Seminole Indians pillaged the plantation and set the sugar mill and other buildings on fire. After that, the site was abandoned, the machinery taken out, and the mills were never rebuilt.
Today, the park stands on 17 well-kept acres and has lots of information not just on the ruins, but also on the local flora, the history of the area and the sugar making process. It is a great snapshot back in time. The park also has a short nature trail to explore, it only takes 10 minutes or so, making it appropriate for kids and older people as well. As it is a smaller park, there are not too many amenities. There are however clean bathrooms with handicap access.
The Sugar Mill Ruins in New Smyrna Beach are a great quick stop to learn some history on the area. They are well kept, provide a great photo opportunity and there is no admission charge. Next time you are in New Smyrna Beach, be sure to check them out!
