Arcadia Mill

Within a short walk from our home is the Arcadia Mill archeological site. The mill began as early as 1817 and is claimed to be “the first and largest Early American industrial complex in Florida.” Arcadia Mill seems to have met its greatest enterprise during the 1830s. The Arcadia complex lasted until 1855 and several years later the Pond Creek dam was destroyed during a skirmish with the Yankee invaders. The site remained in ruins and abandoned until 1964 when it was rediscovered. In the 1980s the site was purchased by the Santa Rosa Historical Society and the University of West Florida and the recovery of the site commenced. In 1987 the Arcadia Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A few years ago, during the two crazy hurricane seasons a lot of damage was done to the site. Arcadia Mill reopened last year. For more information on the history of the Arcadia Mill visit UWF’s website