Norman's Castle: Ruins of an old logging settlement

Brenda with old saw blade from Norman's Castle ruins, now reclaimed by a tropical hardwood forest.

We recently spent a great day exploring among the ruins of an old logging settlement named Norman's Castle, and discovered an outstanding example of pine flatwoods that has been managed through prescribed fire.

Norman's Castle (not really a castle) is an old abandoned logging settlement dating back to the 1920's. At it's peak in 1925, there were 250 houses, with a railroad, and they were producing over 12 million board feet of lumber each year. By 1945, the settlement had been abandoned.

We found the ruins of an old dock, a saw blade (see pic), cisterns, and remnants of the settlement scattered within in a tropical hardwood hammock. Nature has moved back in.

Following a winding trail through the tropical hardwoods, we saw hummingbirds and other amazing birds (will have to get a Bahamas bird book). After about 20 minutes of walking, the trail broke out into a magnificent pine forest.

Very similar to the pine flatwoods of South Florida, this forest stretched for miles, and there was clear evidence of recent fire. Slash and Longleaf pines are adapted to fire, and require fire on a frequent basis, allowing their seeds to germinate and the unique ecosystems associated with them to be sustained.

Every place we explore has been unique. We didn't expect to find this forest, and it was an invigorating experience to shake out our sea legs and hike for miles through it.

Slash and Longleaf pine can live for up to 200 years, providing important habitat for wildlife.