The Lost Town Of Ellaville Florida

The lost town of Ellaville, Florida was once home to one of Florida’s largest Sawmills and the Drew Mansion. Join me for a walk about rural Florida in search of the town George Drew and his wife Amelia founded on the Suwannee River!
Links:
www.DraytonCallison.com
www.WorldsGreatestKiting.com
#ExploreFlorida #Ellaville #HillmanBridge #RoadTrip #GovernorDrew #GeorgeDrew #HillmanBridge #Abandoned #AbandonedTown #LostTown #OldFlorida #BrownLantern #LiveOak #RuralAmerica #FloridaHistory #SuwanneeRiver
#FloridaHiking #FloridaGhostTown #GhostTown #AbandonedFlorida

[@darrylgoss5857]

According to a 1927 Classon map of Florida I found online this bridge was the original alignment of US 90. The map also shows US 90 passing through Ellaville.

[@MoxieMike66]

Funny w/the bridge being blocked off. It looks safer than most of the bridges that are in use in MA.

[@davek6854]

What a great video. The subject of old Florida Is always interesting to us natives.

[@marcialynn3469]

thanks. I moved up there in 07 from Miami for five years on ten acres of forest. Retired in Baja now. Pretty country. Watch for snakes

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

My husband, now deceased, was born and raised in Live Oak, FL (1950 - 2014). I was born and raised in the USAF (1948 - ) so I never had a hometown. Live Oak became my hometown for the years we were together (1977 - 2014). It has grown and changed over the years but still a nice Southern town.

[@akoww1000]

I moved right outside Live Oak when I was 2 and moved to the Old town area when I was 7. Lived there until I was 16 and we moved to Clearwater. I missed the small-town life when we moved to Clearwater, it was so over crowded and the schools sucked. lol

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

My great uncle was Winder Joseph is Hillmann on the bridge is named after.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

@@SoozTalkWorthTelling That is so neat! I love to look at the history surrounding Live Oak. Thank you!

[@deannacrownover3]

Take the trail called Big oak trail, it's about 50 to 75 ft off of that trail. Ellaville is 4 MI from where I've lived for 54 years. You're not missing anything, it's just a rectangle of falling bricks with trees growing through it. The cemeteries are fairly interesting though.

[@bighoss8793]

When that Sasquatch pushed that tree over, that was your warning to stay out or go missing. You're lucky this time. However next time you might not be as lucky.

[@DraysWorld]

Agreed.

[@southerngrits]

Agree

[@lawrenceluckey5984]

There are so many of these lost towns and communities in Florida

[@DraysWorld]

I want to see them all!

[@agentofficerthomasa.porter107]

Was great to see the Citrus Tower still standing. Been up it many times & when for miles in any direction you only saw, Orange Groves & Orange Groves now there Cookie Cutter Subdivisions🤮. Lake County, Tavares grew up 1960's & 1970's were a great time there. Safe Travels. always, Tommy🤠

[@heatherrobinson4460]

My mom was a Umatilla native! Rosie Brew!

[@user-df4vw3il7t]

Thank you for sharing....😊I love roadtrips, the local people, old buildings & cemeteries, & awesome stories!!!

[@ReWyldOutdoors]

I've got a video on Ellaville, you were right there! The foundation is on the otherside of those bushes! Not far from there through the woods is an abandoned cemetery, in my video I camped just above the ruins of the sawmill on the river! Nice video man, enjoying your channel!

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you! I’ll check out your channel. . Looking forward to it.

[@ReWyldOutdoors]

The Ellaville video is in my Halloween Playlist! Thanks Dray

[@cosmyccowboy]

Having spent 66 years mostly 15 miles north of the florida line I have spent a lot of time exploring the north florida sinks

[@justynjonn]

Lovin' that stained glass sun on your windowsill!

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you! I’ll let my grandpa know you complimented his art.

[@cindi7955]

@@DraysWorld Very talented grandpa you have and thank you for allowing us to tag along on your adventures I grew up in Florida on Cocoa Beach before Orlando avenue was paved and you had to bring water in to drink in big bottles. We lived in a beach 'shack' where the Pier is now but at one time that was our playground. The Space Race hit and Cocoa Beach changed so fast. You are very easy to listen to a joy to follow.

[@michaeljenkins4895]

Spanish moss is not full of bugs unless it falls on the ground .Does not harm the tree .It is an epiphyte or air plant.

[@Lookbutalsosee360]

Cool Video! You are a good host and presenter. 🙂 I like the easy and untyped style you have with information delivery! I am a Florida native and I’m about to move away 😢. I used to live for exploration and to find old things and buildings! I know you are passionate about what you do, because it shows. I’m almost certain I will not get to see Florida again. 😔. And it’s not as bad as all that.. the place I knew and loved . Unfortunately exists only in my memory.😢. My awesome home town is very reminiscent of that song, (Home Town Fall) 😓🫢😶 .. perhaps there’ll be an explorer or a few.. that’ll someday, be picking their way through our Ghost Towns? 😅 God Keep The Faithful! ❤.

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you for one of the nicest comments I’ve been given. I appreciate it. What’s the town you’re referring to?

[@Lookbutalsosee360]

in kind of a hidden that barely visible rooftop behind a vine tangled mess of woods and brush, stood what was at one time a beautiful and Charming Country farmhouse forgotten and empty.. 😕 Now a far cry from throughout! I’m not sure if the feeling that it gives you is amazing.. Like your solitude is some esoteric connection too the love , life and happiness of those that not so long ago, sunk in their lives and money and their very future into this place! And almost always in the end themselves as well.. so many different times. So many hopes and dreams ! How many were manifested? 🙂 How many were lost?😳 Hard Hot Work was your first, last, and only way , if you were lucky 🍀 enough to get work at all! But for most people before 1920. Self sufficient families and communities were the only way we got to where we are now. The town I’m referring to is called Johnsonville, South Carolina! 😎

[@drrobertdawson1899]

there used to be a great restaurant Alligator Jacks when I moved To Suwannee County in 1988 at Ellaville by the old bridge.

[@fsunaturists829]

When my best friend in high school went into the marines in 1990, we had his going away dinner at Alligator Jacks.

[@abbysnipes1195]

I live 5 minutes from the bridge!! 💕

[@sarahs.6457]

This is in my town! Thank you for sharing this information to the world. Its a place where seniors and visitors alike put there mark on the bridge.

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

I would love love any information you have on my great uncle, Winder Joseph is Hillman. Most especially, the folklore

[@beboboymann3823]

Hi Dray……the folks at Auto Zone will install the wiper blades free of charge. They like getting away from the phone at the counter.

[@DraysWorld]

I had a nice conversation during the last wiper blade change with the guy.

[@johnlongssilverrailz5873]

Nice video, I found the ruins of a possible lodge or other large buildimg on the Gulf Coast, down a dirt road at the waters edge by a dirt boat landing where a small boat could be launched. I believe it was between Shell Point and Spring Creek. There were old columns and rubble.There is at least one or more abandoned towns in the St. Marks area.

[@DraysWorld]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I will have to look this up on Google maps.

[@adamwilder2943]

Interesting place indeed, thanks for the video

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for watching

[@user-qj8pc4dv7g]

A small town called Greenwood near Marianna FL has quite a few pre-Civil War mansions. In Greenwood the "Erwin House" has been visited by Andrew Jackson according to the historic marker.

[@Texas_Squatch]

2 for 1 video, Ellaville & Buc-ee's. Awesome Love it 🙂

[@marlene7969]

I was waiting for you to turn the camera around and show us the fallen tree… I knew that sound had to be a tree hitting the ground even before I saw your reaction! Wish the camera had been pointed it that direction! Be careful out there with those wild critters!

[@kathiefilkins445]

Just found you. It's so nice to see a native Floridian, instead of "foreigners" telling another native about parts I've never seen. I'm older than you, but still don't know all these places. Have you ever heard of Spuds, Fla?

[@DraysWorld]

Nope never heard of it. I’ll have to go

[@mikemulrennan7948]

Yes Spuds is south of me near Hastings west of St Augustine

[@kathiefilkins445]

My grandfather worked for the railroad and used to go to Spuds to have farmers ship produce to market by rail in the 30's.

[@TheOhMyGoddess]

@@kathiefilkins445 did he speak on the forest people ,commonly know as Bigfoot?

[@ronstorey6012]

Yes

[@debraellison6255]

It would have been nice if they put up a place at each site like the information board to makt the places. They could find old photos to share what it looked like in the exact spot. I lived in the northern part of Florida on the east coast in the early 70s. The apartments sat a little off the main road. There was a footpath through the woods that came out to the shopping center. I took it a few times before I was told to watch out for the wild boar. Never took it again.

[@richarddarmstadt2871]

Not as scenic as some trips but far more interesting. I'm wondering if this was in Texas if there would be a full ghost town. The swamps here leave nothing but metal still standing.

[@nativemom4992]

If a tree falls in a forest does anyone hear it? Yes they do if your close enough lol😂We love going to that Bucees. When your up that way next time you should check out The Poarch Creek Indian Museum.

[@bruceleez5292]

It is rumored that Ted Bundy tagged that bridge. And was camped out in an old abandoned shack in Ellaville.

[@jomama5186]

Love your little Honda. We've got one. Great little car. Well, we know a tree still makes noise when there's no one there to hear it fall, lol. Pretty name for a town, Ellaville. Have you heard of the books, "One Tank Trip"? One of our news guys in Pinellas County made several of them. Check them out! Florida is awesome. It's been my home since I was 9. I'm 53 and holding til August and I would never love anywhere else. This is home. Enjoy !

[@bradhampton6457]

Been to Ellaville several times. Remains of Gov Drew’s mansion there. Not much to see.

[@DraysWorld]

The mansion ruins are interesting

[@justinfinch333]

pensacola here.. work your way this way to see pensacola, you can even take 90 all the way here some of the best history around and oldest settlement in fl

[@DraysWorld]

I dd some videos from that area this year. Also on my other channel, The Brew Traveler. Great breweries up that way! I’ll be back up soon for more exploring. Tell me where to go..

[@David-up7rv]

YES JUST LEFT JACKSONSVILLE YESTERDAY, BORN THERE RSISED IN SAVANNAH, I LOVE THE SWAMPY LAND AN LOVED PLAYING IN THE WOODS AN CLIMBEING TREES AN SWIMING IN THE DARK MUDDY WATERS. ✔️ 👍

[@rogermcglaughlin3854]

And now you have your answer. If a tree falls in the woods, with nobody around, does it make a noise??

[@DraysWorld]

Finally we know! I did hear it.

[@rollingrock5916]

Florida does have bears, and panthers in case you forgot! 😂

[@DraysWorld]

And a lot of them

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Yes it's true. I never want to be stranded on US-27 South highway.

[@TiredOldMann]

We have two Black Bears running around Tampa this week . 5/29/24 . Not the first time .

[@calliehendricks9188]

Beautiful down that way 👍 Thanks for taking me on your trip 😎

[@DraysWorld]

Thanks for the company!

[@mysticker11]

ive lived there my whole life the mansion is past the inspection station over the river then back up...fun fact..inside the mansion was a store called pirate land..small store there for long time then closed..after a bit they had a seafood resteraunt there that sold fried gator tail....

[@TheDjscottyrotten]

I see you know about Blinker fluid, Im glad the red went on sale finally. but now a can of beep for the horn costs twice as much.

[@DraysWorld]

I tell you man, Bidenomics is killing the prices of beeper fluid these days

[@CynthiaWord-iq7in]

Thoroughly enjoyed walking with you...born in Tampa, lived in NYC 25yrs came home and so much of the fumky beach towns, wood shacks, 2,3dtory wood mansions and drizzly wilderness is gone or you are in the middle of one like you are, and suddenly drive into a swarm of hwy patrol/state troopers carry rifles, stopping you in your vintage 450SL, barking, pop the trunk--prisoner escape, some forests are too dense to effectively search with helicopters, hence great sound of rain, not getting wet--places easy to get scared in...come to an opening in two lane highway, a gas station teeming with Harleys, guys in gear. Beards, leather jackets, somehow pulling in fir a map (??!!!), dozens surround car, off the road behind you (huh, where did they cone from?), turning in ahead if if me too...I want to run, but dint dare,no one makes eye contact,I go in purchase, hmmm a Pepsi should look friendly, make my way out, shivering at the glaring New York State license plate, they file out in pairs,quads and in all directions as fast as they arrived. Phenomenal Florida, crowds of tourists galore, then silence when you are never alone.

[@robinlondrow9263]

There was a Great pizza restaurant just about 2-3 blocks west of the lantern restaurant.

[@Treasurecoastmagnetfishingandm]

WOW!!! GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@unclesam4565]

A few helpful hints! Buy a machete a compass and appropriate clothing if going searching for old structures. Also when searching an old site Circa late 1800 that is of any viewing value, it will usually have a RR nearby. People didn't ride wagons to a resort for vacation and they didn't have cars back then. Find the RR and work outwards if you don't know the location of what is of interest.

[@drrobertdawson1899]

the mansion was on the Withalachoochie River a few thousand feet west of the Suwannee River

[@AndrewBarsky]

Be careful when you visit these places my guy. Maybe not a gun but a can of mace or something to defend yourself. Before I moved to China, I drove between Melbourne and Tallahassee where I lived so many times and often went to abandoned places alone and was armed because who knows what would happen? Be careful man, but there are awesome places if you venture onto the state roads. There was the last segregated school in Florida I visited one time. It was in the middle of cow pastures and had a historical marker but other then that it was empty. Another time driving through Gainesville I found a house/auto garage off of the highway that had Polaroids and calendars from the mid 1990s. So much to be seen, but be sure to let someone know where you are and just be careful my dude

[@stackfire9601]

@@ForkInTheRoad33 you will be hiding behind a man with a gun when the bad stuff goes down like a little sissy

[@islandwanderer1173]

@@ForkInTheRoad33 Real men are ready for anything.. I'll take my pistol over nothing anyday..anyway...

[@TheOhMyGoddess]

@@ForkInTheRoad33 until you are face to face with the forest people commonly known as Bigfoot then you’ll wish u had a 45 or greater 😂

[@cassiusdio6048]

Our first and foremost responsibility in life is to keep ourselves and our family safe.

[@calliehendricks9188]

😊

[@guests5863]

Well now you know, if a tree falls in the forest, it does make a sound😂

[@jrbass62]

I Moved from Tampa to NE Florida in 96. I use my motorcycle to explore. I get into back/dirt roads you never know what you'll find! Turpentine was a huge industry late 1800's early 1900's. If you ever find small clay pots, they would drill into pines and hang pot to collect turpentine..

[@DraysWorld]

I never knew. Thanks for sharing.

[@akoww1000]

I was born in Largo, Florida " early 70s " but I was raised in Live Oak and Old Town until I was 16. It was always a dead area compared to Cities like Tampa or Clearwater. I loved it there

[@JayWil29]

Dude, seeing you go past Citrus tower……. You live close to me!! Gotta be really close! Just found the channel. Subscribed!

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you!

[@beboboymann3823]

Good job.

[@fsunaturists829]

I used to explore Ellaville with my friends in high school in the 80s. I grew up in Live Oak.

[@megancoppage3243]

I was here last week. The hurricane did some real damage to the area and it looks so different now. The location on Google is wrong (found this out lol).

[@RJFPme]

Always be aware of widow makers when in the woods. This tree fall was very spectacular.

[@emmylene62]

15:15 your map voice is in a mood! 😆

[@DraysWorld]

Agreed.

[@davidharris2210]

For future reference, Drew mansion and the sawmill were burned to the ground along time ago. Nothing remains at all, and the snarling you might have heard is either a black bear or panther. Both are prevalent around here

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

Spooky looking bridge. Exactly the kind of place you would expect to see a black 1967 Chevrolet Impala, with Dean & Sam Winchester inside...

[@stevemcfarland875]

Been there several times, but there are no buildings left. A lot of concrete picnic but that's about it.

[@DraysWorld]

If you look hard enough, you can find the foundations of some of the buildings, and last I was there, the old grocery store was grown over with weeds across the street from the park

[@stevemcfarland875]

We did find some of the foundations, the best part was the view of the river and certain spots, And going underneath the railroad bridge was pretty cool as well. I was real disappointed, for not having a fishing pole with me ! 😂 🎣🎣

[@MYJ61]

The creature that snarled was Bigfoot!! After he pushed over the tree! 😉 Seriously though, I did enjoy the video. Thanks very much.

[@DraysWorld]

You might be right.

[@leslievey8453]

Don't laugh , there are Sasquatch in Florida , I've seen two on the way to Cedar Key .

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

1. In one of the pictures of the Drew estate there is a train, presumably on a track, 300 yards from the front door of the estate. 2. Curiously In all the drawings of the estate, there’s no indication of a brick foundation.

[@noemontalvo2305]

Hi Dray, how do you find or discover these places in Florida. When you drove through Claremont, it made me think that you are close to me in Leesburg. I like to venture but I have only a three-wheeler, Can-Am Spyder. Wife needs the vehicle.

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

A much deeper would be any possible remains of CaptainHillman’s estate. He named his Home and land, Hillmonia😊 It too, would’ve been quite large since he was one of Florida’s first millionaires, and second to be the owner of the Cadillac

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

The wide-open parts of the trail, or the raised burm ,I’m wondering if it was a road from the railroad to the sawmill.

[@knivesgunfights526]

You should have followed the snakes. They were headed to the what's left of the old mansion. I'm shocked that you didn't see any snakes. They are everywhere in that area.

[@guests5863]

You can find the big steel wheel for The sawmill across the river at the State Park, head towards the R. R. tracks to the south, can't miss it.

[@OversteerAllDay]

Nice that you know how to shift manual

[@judichristophersen7238]

I live in Oviedo need to explore more of Florida

[@floridagunrat1625]

Graffiti and the people that do it suck! It's a shame that they feel like they have to leave their mark and ruin the natural beauty, not to mention that some of what they write reflects their own ignorance.

[@faulltw]

I grew up in Clearwater and as a kid put that Spanish Moss on my heard like it was a wig and yep, my mom told me not because of the bugs.

[@DraysWorld]

Woah. Scariest wig I’ve ever heard of.

[@leslievey8453]

If you use Suave shampoo the chiggers in the moss won't bite you .

[@faulltw]

@@leslievey8453 I don't know if that is true, but regardless I am no longer at an age where I would do that.

[@CynthiaWord-iq7in]

And bats--nit SI much anymore. My brothers would get the rakes nd pull down accumulated moss every year, climbing in and out of our oak trees in Rome&Sligh neighborhood in Tampa, ducking at bats flying out from their hangs launching every twilight dusk of the 1950s not seen that way fir about 49 years I'd say.

[@faulltw]

@@CynthiaWord-iq7in Wow, 1950's Flordia, Would have loved to seen it.

[@SoozTalkWorthTelling]

I would love to share all the information I have on Winder Josephus Hillman. He was the one that really pushed for that bridge to be built and so they named it after him. He was my great uncle.

[@joesmith7427]

So whats in Ellaville?? If the tree fell and no one was there to hear it, did the tree make any noise?? If that forest is a mile wide, how far can he run into the forest?? 1/2 mile is the answer, then he is running out of the Forest !!! 😊

[@mse7501]

Looks nice

[@davidharris2210]

Also the bridge you just crossed was condemned for traffic after a semi truck accident that compromised the bridge. And trees here fall like that all the time

[@gregj.gotham4402]

In New York State you can’t do any work on your cars. You can be arrested for working on your own car in your own driveway ! WTH . I’m on SSD and must pay up to 200.00 an hr to a shop ? For work on car.

[@guests5863]

Snarled at by a creature of the forest 🤪 bless your heart you are a city slicker aren't ya?

[@jonathanpoitras5083]

Magnet fish that bridge. Crazy stuff there I bet.

[@DraysWorld]

Great idea!

[@thesaltlifemanshow5522]

Been through quite a bit of the coastal areas and around the springs up north but for me I've always mainly explored around destin but for me Dunedin is home. Man do I miss it. When i left to come back to Indiana I had went out to the beach and sat down for 3 hours playing my guitar and thinking about life. I swore I'd be back soon and now because of family and meeting a girl and having two children its been almost 7 years which really sucks and I'm beyond homesick. Especially when the winter gets here in indiana. I hate the midwest to. Nice to get to see reminders of home. Oak trees and spanish moss and palm trees.

[@DraysWorld]

I hope you can get your family down for a visit sometime soon. It sounds like you could use a dose of Florida. Thanks for watching.

[@southsidekarl]

What camera Rig are you using self stick

[@MrMensa141]

Wipers on sale at Costco for $6.99 while high mileage oil makes a difference in how much your engine will burn.

[@DraysWorld]

The more expensive silicon wipers are worth the investment. Lucas brand oil is all I use in any vehicle. Amsoil is also acceptable in my opinion.

[@dennisswaim8210]

Check your Blinker fluid? Nice. Better check you Glonkulator as well.

[@DraysWorld]

I do every time it starts making noise. But only then.

[@rollingrock5916]

Tree falls in woods with no one around equals run! Don’t ask what was that……😂

[@krisdeas2999]

Hello, let me start off by saying your video is awesome... But the ruins to the Drew mansion is back up the road..... When you turn off HWY 90 go across the RR Tracks and it in the woods off to the left.....There is also a family cemetery there as well....

[@DraysWorld]

I made a follow up video, called the Drew mansion and lost cemetery, soon after this where I did discover the location. Thanks for watching.! I appreciate the comment.

[@Bimboysize15]

What brand blinker fluid do you buy lol?

[@DraysWorld]

I make my own now.

[@mariannevenditto455]

Just so you know...Spanish moss has no bugs until it falls to the ground. The bug's come from the ground not from the trees...just so you know

[@VinceMediaTV]

My favorite Travel channel on KZbin right Now! Be safe!

[@DraysWorld]

Thank you!!

[@davek6854]

A native Floridian here, It's been years since I have ever had to add oil to a vehicle between oil changes. Changing oil every 5000 miles it should not burn oil unless you have a huge number of miles on it. I suspect this to be the case here.

[@DraysWorld]

Almost 250k

[@rapscallion3421]

His car most likely has a k24a in it which is a notorious engine for oil consumption especially in it's higher milage life, but then again these motors were just about the most reliable 4 banger back in the mid 2000s.

[@sandracarnley-adams798]

I live in a little town close to Live Oak.

[@brownbunny04]

I've driven over that river a few times on the way to Jacksonville. The water appears to be black.

[@TammyMullins-jv8wm]

Its ok nature is beautiful stay safe ❤️

[@lisaferro5560]

Homeless people should find these abandoned towns and go live in them, that's what I'd do in a bad situation.

[@cal4625]

Blinker fluid? You're joking right?

[@DraysWorld]

Yeah, don’t buy the blinker fluid unless your car requires it.

[@JimiJHam]

Love from Hamilton County

[@grrriallen7192]

That bridge is locally called “The Bridge to Nowhere”

[@abbedelehanty1665]

Be safe ! Enjoy you’re cookies 🙂

[@tedhamilton2362]

With the thick brush, I would recommend long pants, socks and hiking boots. Ticks!

[@donnamillermcnutt]

Did you ever return and find anything?

[@JohnnyUtah15]

11:15 - Mother Nature doing work.

[@raymondclark1785]

That abandoned town has better paved roads than Allatua County

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Alachua County - The armpit of the state.

[@lisabarger574]

Did you ✔️ your radiator fluid?

[@DraysWorld]

I did

[@lisabarger574]

@@DraysWorld Really enjoyed your video, never heard of this place, love history, thanks for sharing 🙂

[@rustyramblings5807]

Is there gators in that part of Florida?

[@DraysWorld]

Yes most definitely

[@theresagomez2605]

There are gators in EVERY part of Florida.

[@SextonHardcastle85]

Gotta watch out for Skunk apes. Probably what was watching you.

[@shari3187]

BLINKER FLUID !!!!!!!!!! 😂

[@brianburke3460]

And I-10 also goes to Louisiana