The Arcadia Story (University of West Florida)
Enjoy exploring the Industrial History of Santa Rosa County University of West Florida. Archaeology Site
The Arcadia Mill Site in Milton represents the first and largest Early American water-powered industrial complex in Florida. This was a multi-faceted operation with various mills, shops, a mule-drawn railroad, and a sixteen mile log flume. Althought the complex operated only for 38 years (from 1817 to 1855), it played a pivotal role in the political and economic development of northwest Florida. A renewed interest in Arcadia followed its rediscovery in 1964 after more than a century of abandonment. When local development threatened the site with destruction in 1986, efforts were undertaken to preserve the site and document its historical significance. In 1987 Arcadia was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. That same year, the Santa Rosa Historical Society, in partnership with the University of West Florida, initiated a five year plan to acquire the site, conduct historical and archaeological research and to preserve, interpret and develop the site as an educational facility. Much of the site has now been purchased through a series of special category grants from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. Significant historical research has been conducted by Mr. Warren Weekes and Dr. Brian Rucker on the people, places, and events that are associated with Arcadia. Unfortunately, little in the historical record describes the site, explains how it was constructed, or how it operated. No maps, drawings or photographs that would provide clues about the site layout or methods of operation are known to exist. Furthermore, very little of the site complex is above ground. Archaeological testing, site clearing and mapping, undertaken by the University of West Florida in 1988, documented that information about these unknowns lies buried at the site. Subsequently, the Santa Rosa Historical Society and the University of West Florida developed the Arcadia Archaeological Project to expose and document enough of the archaeological remains of the mill complex to integrate the archaeological and historical data, and interpret the site. Archaeological excavations, funded by a Special Category Grant-in-Aid from the Florida Division of Historical Resources, were undertaken in 1990 and 1991. This work generated tremendous public interest in the Arcadia Mill Complex. Dozens of local citizens volunteered their services to the project, and thousands of people visited the site while the archaeological field work was underway. This archaeological and historical research produced a wealth of information that enabled the University of West Florida to interpret the site. Furthermore, the Special Category Grant-in-Aid permitted the Santa Rosa Historical Society to construct a small museum on the site. The site is now open to the public and a site manager provides tours of northwest Florida's first industrial complex. The Arcadia Story: A more in-depth look at the Arcadia Mill