ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Known for its rich and diverse history, Ormond Beach was once the vacation home of millionaires and earned the title “Birthplace of Speed” in the early 1900s.
However, long before this era, the area was inhabited by Native Americans and was home to sugar cane plantations. One site that stands out in revealing this history is the Three Chimneys monument, the oldest sugar mill and rum distillery in the United States.
A glimpse into the past
Located just off the bustling Granada Boulevard, the Three Chimneys historical site offers a unique glimpse into Florida’s past, predating the Declaration of Independence. Around 1765, during British control, King George ordered that 20,000 acres of land be used to produce sugar, molasses, and rum using slave labor.
Dr. Philip Shapiro of the Ormond Beach Historical Society explains that agriculture has been present in the area for over a thousand years, thanks to the consistently damp ground, once known as “swamp settlement.” The site is the only remaining intact British colonial structure, serving as a testament to colonial European development and industrial activity.
The industrial legacy
The site originally housed four boiling vats, crucial for processing sugar cane. Dr. Shapiro describes how oxen powered the crushing machines, feeding sugar cane juice into the vats. The iron flues, manufactured in England due to colonial restrictions on local manufacturing, played a vital role in the process. Workers would heat the cane juice, transferring it through successive vats to produce molasses.
The distillery, with its two vats and a single chimney, was documented as profitable in 1772. Despite the site’s historical significance, the origin of the name “Three Chimneys” remains a mystery, as documentation from that era is sparse.
A legacy of labor
Historical documents suggest that at least 50 enslaved workers were present at any given time, highlighting the harsh realities of the site’s operation.
The Three Chimneys historical site stands as a reminder of the complex history of Ormond Beach, offering insights into the area’s colonial past and its role in the broader narrative of American history.
Visitors to the site can reflect on the enduring legacy of those who lived and labored there, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s historical tapestry.
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