Milton in Santa Rosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Arcadia’s Cotton Textile Mill
Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site
“…the first and largest cotton factory in antebellum northwest Florida.”
The Arcadia Manufacturing Company
The Arcadia textile mill was the first and largest cotton factory in antebellum northwest Florida. In 1845, a two-story structure, 94’ x 38’ was built within the foundation of the second, smaller sawmill to house the textile equipment. About forty enslaved African American women ran 960 spindles and 24 looms. During the first year , in 1846, the mill produced 4,000 to 5,000 yards of coarse , heavy cotton cloth and yarn per week. By 1848, production reached 6,000 yards of cloth a week and used 1,000 pounds of cotton each day, benefiting area cotton farmers. By 1850, the Arcadia textile mill produced 660,000 yards of cotton cloth and yarn worth approximately $50,000.
Despite its success, the textile mill was plagued by problems, including financial problems, a limited demand for its products in local markets, lack of transportation to access larger markets, and yellow fever epidemics. In 1855, the Arcadia textile mill was destroyed by fire. The owners did not build it.
Erected by University of West Florida Historic Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 30° 36.8′ N, 87° 4.907′ W. Marker is in Milton, Florida, in Santa Rosa County. Marker can be reached from Mill Pond Lane, 0.1 miles north of Juan de Laurua Court when traveling north. Located within the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton FL 32583, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arcadia Railroad & Twitchell Sawmill (here, next to this marker); Plunge Pool (a few steps from this marker); The Millrace (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Existing Foundations: Sawmill and Textile Mill (about 400 feet away); Arcadia Dam and Water Works (about 500 feet away); Arcadia Mill (about 600 feet away); Arcadia Community (about 600 feet away); Arcadia Dam (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milton.
Also see . . . Explore Arcadia Mill. Historic Pensacola (Submitted on July 16, 2020.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.