Hiking Sugarmill Forest

Just before New Year's we hiked the 200+ year-old Sugarmill Forest and plantation ruins. It is interesting how much the vegetation changes from South-Florida to Flagler, Brevard County area only 100-150 miles North-East. It is beautiful.

Some of the first slaves in the South were brought here to work on what was then the largest Sugar plantation. It was destroyed by the Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War of the 1830's. All the tribes in Florida united against the US forces and used guerrila tactics, retreating frequently deep into the Everglades, and making it near impossible for the chasing armies to catch them in the swamps and mangroves.

Eventually though, the whole Seminole nation nearly got wiped out in the war, with thousands killed. The few hundred survivors were deported to Oklahoma reservations. It (1835-1842) turned out to be the most expensive Indian war, costing the US $30 million.

Anyway - it was a great hike and if you visit we'll take you there...