Sugar Mills’ Chimneys In Mauritius

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:

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.

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.

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.

Savanne District

There are currently 13 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Savanne.

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.

Plaines-Wilhems District

There are currently 3 sugar mill chimneys in the district of Plaines-Wilhems.

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.

Midlands

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 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!