A testament to the brave men and women who pioneered Florida in
the days before air conditioning and modern medicine, Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins was
the site of a 5,100-acre sugar plantation, which operated from 1849 to 1862. Operated
by over 1,000 slaves, the mill was abandoned during the Civil War and the plantation
house burned. The most imposing feature of the plantation, the sugar mill, was located
near the Homosassa River.
Still standing today are the steam boiler, crushing machinery, and cooking kettles
used to process the sugar cane, as well as the stonework chimney, well and foundation.
A pathway leads visitors around the ruins to interpretive signs that explain how
the system worked. Across the street from the ruins, the park's picnic area features
tables, grills, and a pavilion.
