A Piece of Puerto Rico’s Sugar History
Sugar was once the primary commercial crop in Puerto Rico. That period ended long ago, but there are still some places around the island where you can catch a glimpse of the bygone era. The town of Barceloneta once had a large sugar mill, “Plazuela”, which employed many people in the town. It has long since closed, but the town has set aside what remains of the windmill for people to visit. It is a quick photo stop to see this pretty building.
Barceloneta, a town along the north coast of Puerto Rico, has a lot of natural beauty for you to explore. It also has a rich agricultural past, with sugar being the primary crop beginning in the mid-1800s.
Originally called “Hacienda Plazuela”, where they grew sugar as a crop, the sugar mill was eventually industrialized and “modernized”. In 1907, it was renamed “The Plazuela Sugar Company” and the “Plazuela Central Sugar Mill”, where large amounts of sugar cane were processed. The mill prospered in the early 1900’s and then over time diminished, and finally closed in 1963. Now you will see it on the map as Ruinas Central Plazuela.
Today, you can still see the large Plazuela Sugar Mill chimney from the Route 22. If you head toward them, you will come to the town’s Public Works offices and Head Start buildings. The guard will let you in, and you can walk around (and into) the old sugar windmill. The door is painted with a golden Puerto Rican flag. The building next to the windmill was the storage warehouse, dated 1918.
There is some information about the area but not any type of “tour” here. It is mainly just a quick photo stop, but if you are in the area, it makes a really pretty picture!
Details
There is no cost to see the windmill, nor for parking.
From Route 22 in Barceloneta, take the exit near the outlet mall and head north on Road 6204 to Road 140. Continue on Road 140 north to Road 681. Continue on Road 681, going straight at the ball park (as opposed to the sharp left turn). Continue on this road and turn right on Ave. Plazuela, you should be able to see the tall chimneys to your left. Park in the Centro Central (Head Start) / Municipal Works (Obras Publicas) parking lot.
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