Marian Tomblin
I was flipping through my old high school yearbook the other day, and got to laughing at the various superlatives we had pinned on our classmates. Do you remember who at your school was voted the cutest, the smartest, and the funniest?
Volusia County is familiar with superlatives. This is where “The World’s Richest Man”-John D. Rockefeller-lived, and where “The Fastest Man Alive”-Glenn Curtiss-received that title after driving his V-8 powered bicycle 136.47 miles per hour on Ormond’s beach.
We also have bragging rights to “North America’s oldest sugar mill and rum distillery.” Yep, Lord Richard Oswald’s “Three Chimneys” is the oldest sugar mill and rum distillery in the entire continent of North America, and it’s located in the woods (or what’s left of them) on West Granada Boulevard in Ormond.
Now don’t feel badly if you weren’t aware of this historical gem. Keeping the Three Chimneys a secret has been necessary for its survival. Why? Because when you’re 250 years old, your mortar gets crumbly and you start losing your bricks (kind of what started happening to me after I turned 40.) As a result, the Ormond Beach Historical Trust has kept the distillery’s existence quiet so that stabilization of its structure can take place. The Historical Trust is offering a free tour from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday April 1. The tour of the Three Chimneys will let folks see just what has been done, what needs to be done, and what we-the citizens of Volusia County-can do to preserve this important piece of our past.
Too often people lament losing Hotel Ormond, the King’s Inn, and other historical landmarks. On Sunday – they’ll learn how we can save one.
The Three Chimneys are located just west of the Moose Lodge on W. Granada (Highway 40)
Parking: Look for balloons in the Granada Professional Offices lot, next to Lohman’s Funeral Home.
Attire: Comfy casual-there’s a brief, easy hike into the woods.
See you there!
We are grateful for permission to use this article to our wonderful friend
Marian Tomblin, historical columnist and author. For more information on
Marian. Tomblin’s books or to have her speak at your next meeting, contact her at www.MarianSTomblin.com or at (386) 615-0493.
You will find Marian’s books, as well as other books of local interest, or, just a wonderful read at the beach at
The Book Store and So Much More! 410 S. Nova Road / Suite 1, Ormond Beach (386) 615-8320
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