Old Windmill in Withlacoochee State Forest

In the Withlacoochee State Forest near the River Trail area at Ridge Manor I found this old windmill. It was in an old pasture that runs by the Windmill Loop trail. Now I know where that trail got got it's name... 

Old Pioneer Windmill

This windmill could be from the early settlement once in this area called "Oriole" which was nearby the old town of "Croom" Both were pioneer towns in the mid to late 1800's up until the early 1900's before vanishing. These areas now located in the Withlacoochee State Forest contain some remains leftover from those places. 

This windmill seems to be sitting in what used to be a pasture, I saw old fence posts surrounding the area along with fallen remains from the windmill scattered about. You could spend a lot of time searching back here and who knows what you could find. It is finding things like this that will inspire you to learn about the history of these places and it adds another layer of adventure to your hikes! Comment if you would like to find out more.

Windmill Remains

My Videos

Old Windmill in Withlacoochee State Forest 1

Old Windmill in Withlacoochee State Forest 2

Tip

The River Trail can be found at the Ridge Manor Trailhead off of Croom Rital Rd.