Florida is famous for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and wildlife, but it also has a hidden side that few people are aware of. Among the many secrets of the Sunshine State, there is an abandoned town that was once a thriving community, but now lies forgotten and decaying. This town is Ellaville, and it has a unique history that is worth learning about.
The Rise and Fall of Ellaville
Ellaville was founded in 1861 by George F. Drew, a wealthy businessman who owned a sawmill and a railroad. Drew built a mansion, a hotel, a school, a church, and several stores in the town, which became a center of commerce and culture in the region. Ellaville had a population of about 1,000 people at its peak, and was even visited by famous guests such as President Grover Cleveland and Mark Twain.
However, Ellaville’s prosperity did not last long. In the late 1800s, the timber industry declined due to overharvesting and competition from other states. Drew sold his sawmill and railroad in 1897, and moved away from the town. Without its main source of income and transportation, Ellaville began to lose its residents and businesses. By the 1920s, the town was virtually deserted, and by the 1940s, it was completely abandoned.
The Remains of Ellaville
Today, Ellaville is a ghost town that is slowly being reclaimed by nature. The only structures that still stand are the ruins of Drew’s mansion and hotel, which are covered by vines and graffiti. The rest of the town is buried under dirt, debris, and vegetation. The only signs of human activity are the occasional visitors who come to explore the town’s history and mystery.
Ellaville is located in Suwannee County, near the Suwannee River State Park. The town is not marked on any maps, and is accessible only by a dirt road that leads to a locked gate. Visitors need to obtain permission from the Suwannee River Water Management District, which owns the land, to enter the town. The district warns that the town is unsafe and unstable, and advises visitors to be careful and respectful.
The Legacy of Ellaville
Ellaville is one of the many abandoned towns that dot the American landscape, each with its own story and secrets. These towns are reminders of the past, and of the changes that have shaped the present. They also offer a glimpse into a different way of life, and a chance to imagine what might have been.
Ellaville is a part of Florida’s history that most people don’t know about, but it is worth discovering and preserving. It is a town that once had a bright future, but now lies in the shadows. It is a town that is home to no one, but still has a soul.