Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens In Daytona Beach, FL
Located in Port Orange, Florida, just a stone’s throw from downtown Daytona Beach, the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens is a colorful garden area that features the remains of a 18th century sugar mill. Developed and maintained by a non-profit group of volunteers known as the Botanical Gardens of Volusia, Inc., the gardens were established in the late 1980s and since that time, thousands of people have been welcomed free of charge to enjoy a stroll through this pretty area landmark.
This 10-acre garden is a combination of flowers, trees, shrubs, and historic ruins from the former Dunlawton English Sugar Mill, which was destroyed during the Seminole Indian Wars. The ruins have now been enclosed to protect them from the elements, and many experts consider this landmark to be the most complete example of an English sugar mill in the eastern U.S. Guests can view an assortment of sugar processing equipment here, including the gear mechanisms of the rolling sugar cane press, iron boiling kettles, a steam furnace, and pistons. The demise of this mill marked the end of sugarcane cultivation in the region. The mill ruins were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
A visit to the gardens begins with a walk through the beautiful recently-renovated entrance gates. Once inside, a walk across the charming stone bridge will take guests to a Giant Ground Sloth sculpture, a favorite with kids and also one of several dinosaur sculptures inside the garden; and the Human Sun Dial, a unique collection of stones that use human shadows to tell the correct time. Guests will also meander past the 250 year-old Confederate Oak Tree, which is said to have sheltered soldiers during the Civil War.
The Audubon Trail takes visitors through an excellent example of Florida Hammock. Palm trees and camellia gardens add to the beauty of the garden and the Flower Circle is a great place to stop and snap a few pictures. There’s also a lovely section of bromeliads, like pineapples and Spanish moss, signature plants of the American sub-tropics.
Nature’s Chapel, an area covered with a canopy of oak and vibirnum trees, makes a perfect location for a wedding or other special event. It features a red brick walkway and beautiful antique lampposts that can be decorated for the occasion. Elsewhere within the botanical gardens is a pretty gazebo, which can also be used for weddings. Package prices for weddings at Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens include decorations and chairs for about 50 guests. Dates and hours are limited.
The botanical gardens are open daily all year long from
dawn to dusk. There is also a reference library and gift shop on site. Both
are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is no charge to visit the
Dunlawton Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens but a donation is suggested.
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