Devil's Millhopper

Devil's Millhopper

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Gainesville, Florida · Est. 1974

TLDR

A 120-foot-deep, 500-foot-wide sinkhole that looks like a miniature rainforest. Early settlers found bones and fossils at the bottom and figured something was feeding them to the devil through the funnel — hence the name.

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The Full Story

Devil's Millhopper is a 120-foot deep, 500-foot wide sinkhole designated a National Natural Landmark and Florida State Park, attracting tourists for over 100 years. The name comes from its grain hopper shape and the large number of animal bones and fossils discovered at the muddy bottom, leading people to believe beasts went down to meet the devil. The Timucua legend tells of a beautiful Indian princess the Devil wanted to marry. When she refused, he kidnapped her, and all the Indian braves gave chase. As they got closer, the Devil retreated to his portal and the braves fell in—he turned them to stone, explaining the prehistoric remains. Another version features Chief Potano's daughter Sicuri being stolen by the ancient demon Hiti, a cursed warrior. Religious folk adopted the story as a pit opened by the Devil to swallow sinners. Visitors have reported hearing screams from the depths, strange moaning sounds, and low growling and snarls. The devil has been seen at the bottom according to local tales. In 2019, new stairs of 132 steps replaced those destroyed by a hurricane, leading to a viewing platform at the bottom where visitors can see the bone-filled pond. Some visitors describe it as serene with nothing devilish about it, while others feel the weight of centuries of legend.

Visiting

Devil's Millhopper is located at 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, Florida.

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Researched from 6 verified sources including historical records, local archives, and paranormal research organizations. Learn about our research process.