Sugar mills

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:43 pm

While "googling" Tobago I came across this site about old sugar mills. http://www.cas.sc.edu/sciaa/staff/clement/ Thought it might be of interest to some of you. Are the locations mentioned in this history or others similar included on some of the organized tours?

Bill

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:57 pm

Hi Bill

The article doesn't mention specific locations, so it is difficult to be precise. As a general guide - no. As the article says, most of these ruins are covered by dense secondary bush. They are also on private land. There are lots of remnants around the place, but you have to be pretty keen to want to wade through thick bush to see remnants of the old factories.

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 8:09 pm

I think maybe we'll be content to see the one at Arnos Vale and play it by ear if we book a tour.

Bill

Stephen Hull · Post by **Stephen Hull** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:29 pm

The best "remains" we have seen are off the road between Mount St George and Hillsborough Reservoir, although I forget the name of the estate to which they belonged. The ruins are semi-maintained as part of a CEPEP project and you can wander round without risking life and limb. You can see the remains of a watermill, various ruined buildings and several intact basins.

To get there, take the road to Hillsborough Dam off the Windward Road in Mt St George, immediately after the Country Style Bakery sign. After half a mile turn left just before the top of the hill. Continue for another half a mile and turn left again. This will take you down to a football pitch (If you miss the left turn, you will see the football pitch down the hill below you). Park and follow the broad grassy track down the hill (200 yards). At the bottom cross the stream (hopefully not a torrent in the wet season) and the ruins are right there.

Steve

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:02 pm

There are also some abandoned ruins near the entrance to the Argyle estate, on the road that runs past Argyle waterfalls.

I found them a very poignant reminder of man's inhumanity to man.

Steve

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:26 pm

Steve,

I agree with you. We need reminders that what happened in the past still can happen today. While visiting Antigua we had a local driver take us on an all day tour and we asked to see Betty's Hope which was a restored sugar mill and museum that documented the slavery and despair of the native residents of the island. We found it a moving experience. In particular our driver who started out cool and reserved warmed up tremendously once he saw that we were interested in more than just sun, sand and scenery. He said that very few tourists were interested in seeing a reminder of slavery. We're looking forward to visiting Tobago again primarily because of the warmth of the people. (OK, the warm tropical weather in the middle of winter probably plays a part in our decision

)

Bill

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:16 pm

there is also a waterwheel in speyside on the way to blue waters inn...
you find little pieces all over the island. even in depot road in castara our british friends had to build their steps arround some kind of walz that could not be moved an inch...

in all preserving these things is not the strong side of the tobagonian politics. most of the time they are painted in green and white and integrated in some CEPEP parc.

there already was another thread about old churches and they are mainly just not there anymore. a little while ago they broke down tobagos oldest bridge in plymouth to build a new one that can carry the traffic. sad but, thats how it happens...

every good guide you go on a tour with will still be able to tell you about places where things have been and you might have to use your imagination...

but they are always happy when you ask.

ENJOY!