Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
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Sugar mill ruins
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Flagler County, Florida, USA |
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| Nearest city | Bunnell, Florida |
| Area | 109 acres (44 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000185 |
| Added to NRHP | 29 September 1970 |
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park is a cool state park located near Flagler Beach, Florida. It's about three miles west of Flagler Beach. This park holds the remains of an old plantation and its sugar mill. The buildings were made from coquina, a special rock made of shells. This was once the biggest plantation in East Florida. Many people were forced to work here as enslaved Africans and African Americans.
Contents
Discovering Bulow Plantation's Past
This section tells the story of the Bulow Plantation. It explains how it started and what happened to it.
How the Plantation Began
Major Charles Wilhelm Bulow started the plantation in 1821. He bought a huge area of land, about 4,675 acres. This land was next to a tidal creek, which is now called Bulow Creek. People who were enslaved cleared about 2,200 acres of land. They grew crops like indigo, cotton, rice, and sugarcane. These crops were then sold.
A Son Takes Over
When Major Bulow passed away in 1823, his son, John Joachim Bulow, took over. John was only seventeen years old. He continued to manage the large property.
A Famous Visitor
In late 1831 and early 1832, a famous artist visited the plantation. His name was John James Audubon. He was a naturalist who studied birds. Audubon explored the area to learn more about American birds. Around this time, John Bulow also had a sugar mill built on his land.
The Plantation's End
Sadly, the plantation was destroyed in 1836. This happened during a conflict known as the Seminole War. The buildings were left in ruins.
Becoming a State Park
The State of Florida bought the land and its ruins in 1945. It became a State Historic Park in 1957. Later, on September 29, 1970, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Amazing Animals at Bulow Creek
The park is home to many interesting animals. You might see bald eagles flying high above. Look for swallow-tailed kites, too. In the water, you might even spot Florida manatees!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park offers lots of activities. You can go hiking on a 6.8-mile trail. It's a great place for fishing and watching wildlife. You can also go canoeing or kayaking on Bulow Creek. The creek is even a recognized State Canoe Trail! There are also nice spots for picnicking. The park has a boat ramp and a screened picnic area.
Learning at the Interpretive Center
The park has an interpretive center. Here, you can see real artifacts from the Bulow Plantation. There are also exhibits that tell more about its history. It's a great way to learn about the past.
Images for kids
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A plaque at the park
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The old storing and loading area
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A view of the ruins
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Another look at the ruins
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Close-up of the coquina ruins
