Since sugarcane was introduced by Adriaan Van Der Stel in 1639, nobody imagined this plant would create such an immense impact. However, it turned out to be a revolutionized industry for the next 300 years.
Mauritius experienced a massive increase in sugar mills. There were more than 250 around the island. However, due to economic and war issues in mainly European countries, the sugar price has steadily decreased since the end of the 1880s. From that point on, the centralization process began. In addition, cyclones and some types of insects affected sugarcane crops at many sugar estates, resulting in drastic financial loss and shutdowns. We can say the sugar industry was nearly dead. Estates and lands were bought, regrouping many sugar mills under one central mill. Centralization decreased sugar mill numbers with time.
The Main Reasons Behind This Project
I spent my first ten years of childhood in the beautiful village of Labourdonnais. My Dad worked for Belle Vue Harel (now Terra) sugar mill, so the sugar industry formed part of my life. Whenever I passed near a chimney, I asked myself about its origin, what was the sugar estate's name, the history behind it, and much more. Fortunately, with massive research through historical books and documents, I have finally made this photo gallery on sugar mills' chimneys a reality. Few people have inventoried remaining sugar mills' chimneys in Mauritius before me. However, their collections are not available to buy anymore. As we are in the digital age, having an up-to-date inventory online is the best for the world to access anytime and from anywhere.
A chimney is a remarkable structure. It is the most appealing and noticeable structure of a sugar factory. When several past sugar mills closed down, they left their chimneys as a footprint of their existence. It is their heritage in every aspect. Unfortunately, we have lost many of them during terrible cyclones as well. Annexations, the selling of sugar estates, and cyclones have destroyed several old chimneys. Many of the images in this gallery are dated between 2020 and 2021. I try my best to retake whenever I am close to a chimney. The latest photos are always better. The gallery is into districts. Port-Louis is the only district where there is no sugar mill's chimney remains. This gallery is only on sugar mills' chimneys and NOT on aloe fiber mills, distilleries, or other industries.
An important note is that modern sugar mills' chimneys are NOT included in this collection because they do not represent any historical value. They are: Mon Loisir, Alteo, Omnicane, Riche en Eau, Médine, Anna, and Mon Désert Alma.
Let's start with Pamplemousses District as follows.
Pamplemousses District
There are currently 19 sugar mills' chimneys in the district of Pamplemousses. They are as follows:
Beau Plan
Belle Vue Harel (now Terra)
Belle Vue Pilot
Belle Vue Rivet
Bon Air
Constance
Fairfund
Grande Rosalie (Villebague)
Mon Choix
L'industrie
Clementine (Maison Blanche)
Mon Rocher
Mont Choisy
Solitude
The Mount
Elmina
L'éspoir
Sottise
Rivière Du Rempart District
There are currently 21 sugar mill chimneys in Rivière du Rempart district. Mon Loisir is not included in this collection as the old chimney has been demolished in the end of 1940s.
Antoinette / Belle Alliance
Ile D'ambre / Les Mares
Mon Loisir Rouillard
Beau Séjour
L'union Daruty
Belle Vue Robillard
L'union Delcourt
Mon Songe
Bon Espoir
L'amitié Desjardins
Petit Village
Forbach
Labourdonnais
Poudre D'Or
Grand-Baie
Mapou
Saint Antoine
Mare Sèche
The Vale
Réunion Maurel
Goodlands
Flacq District
There are currently 21 sugar mill chimneys in Flacq district, except for Alteo or L'Union's old chimney, as it was previously known, is not included because it was demolished in the end of 1940s.
Grande Retraite
Mare Carée
Argy
L'étoile
Petite Retraite
Beau Rivage
L'Unité
Providence
Beau Champ
Sans Souci
La Gaité
Belle Mare
La Lucie
Sebastopol
Petite Victoria
Belle Rose
Beau Bois
Queen Victoria
Caroline
Constance Manès
Deep River
Grand-Port District
There are currently 17 sugar mill chimneys in Grand-Port, excluding Omnicane and Riche En Eau, which the old chimneys do not exist anymore. Omnicane is presently where La Baraque sugar mill situated, and the chimney has been demolished in 1958. Regarding the old chimney of Riche-en-Eau, it has been demolished in 1958 as well, after annexing to La Baraque.
Beau Vallon
Savinia
Bonne Source
Saint Hubert
Virginia
Deux Bras
Le Souffleur
Mont Eulalia
Ferney
Les Mares
Gros Bois
Mon Désert
Mon Trésor
Joli Bois
Rivière La Chaux
Union Park
Union Vale
Savanne District
There are currently 13 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Savanne.
Bel Air Hardouin
Bel Air Wilson
Bénares
L'union Saint Félix
Britannia
Fréderica
Saint Aubin
Saint Avold
Terracine
Surinam
Fontenelle
Savannah
L'union Saint Aubin
Black River District
There are currently 5 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Black River. Médine is not included as its old chimney was demolished in 1953. Anna is not included as well because it has been renovated to a new one.
Albion
Belle Isle
Chamarel
Gros Cailloux
L'Amitié
Plaines-Wilhems District
There are currently 3 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Plaines-Wilhems.
Bagatelle
Bonne Terre
Trianon
Moka District
There are currently 4 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Moka. Mon Désert Alma is not included as the old chimney has been demolished since a long time ago.
Alma
Côte D'Or
Minissy
Midlands
Booklet Format
This documentation is also available in booklet format. Students, historians, and the general public can consult it for reference purposes.
The booklet version is in 38 pages, and can be consulted at the National Library, on the following address:
National Library
2nd Floors, Fon Sing Building
12, Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis
+230 211 9891
History Should Not Be Forgotten
This project is not only personal! It is also for future generations to know more about the sugar mills which existed in the past. We have only three sugar companies on our island: Terra, Omnicane and Alteo. It is no doubt true this industry will disappear in the coming years. Hence, on the historical side, it was necessary to create this collection so that the population is aware. We must not forget history. Historians, students, and the general public are free and most welcome to consult the gallery for educational purposes.
I sincerely hope you have appreciated this gallery. These sugar mills left a special memory through these chimneys. Imagine for a moment how difficult the working conditions were for the slaves and indentured laborers, as well as our friends or relatives years ago.
If you need a picture in large resolution for your educational project, book, or reference, do contact me.
Share this work with everyone. If you want to make a little donation for the work, do contact me! Thanks!
Author: Ali J | Date Published: March 8, 2021 | Last Updated: July 12, 2023
References: Guy Rouillard (Histoire des domaines Sucriers de l'Ile Maurice), André Rouillard (Usines Sucrières de L'Ile Maurice), Jean Marie Chelin (TABLISMAN - Histoire de l'industrie sucrière de l'Ile Maurice), Alexander Descubes (The Island Of Mauritius Map 1880), Allister MacMillan (MAURITIUS: Illustrated - Historical and descriptive commercial and industrial facts, figures and resources), Google Earth and Google Map.
Special Thanks: Terra, Mont Choisy Golf & Beach Estate, Le Domaine de Saint Aubin, Honee G, Treshma Coorjee V, Ashwin K C, Ritesh B, Micheal J, Shenaz N and the general public who contributed to help.