Near Ellaville in Madison County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Drew Mansion Site / The Town of Ellaville

Drew Mansion Site Marker image. Click for full size.

circa May 2009

1. Drew Mansion Site Marker

Inscription.
Drew Mansion Site Located approximately one-half mile to the northwest is the site of the Drew Mansion, home of George F. Drew, governor of Florida during the difficult period of readjustment following Civil War Reconstruction, 1877-1881. Built in the late 1860's, the two-story mansion with its beautiful color-matched oak parquet floors was surrounded by formal gardens and was one of the first homes in the area to have modern utilities. This once elegant landmark of Florida's past was destroyed by fire in 1970.

Reverse: The Town of Ellaville Closely related to the career of Governor George F. Drew was the sawmill and manufacturing complex of Ellaville, established by Drew in the mid-1860's. The present Route 90 led through this town of several hundred people. The ruins of the sawmill are on the west bank of the Withlacoochee River near its confluence with the Suwannee. Ellaville flourished as long as the yellow pine lasted. It declined after 1900 and ceased to exist when the Post Office closed in 1942.

Erected 1972 by the Family of Robert L. Millinor in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-200.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics

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• Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 30° 23.183′ N, 83° 10.5′ W. Marker is near Ellaville, Florida, in Madison County. Marker is on NE Drew Way, ¼ mile east of U.S. 90, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in rural Madison County, Florida, north and west of where US Highway 90 crosses the Suwannee River. Take the first road leading off the north side of US Highway 90 west of its bridge over the Suwannee. Proceed east on the paved road to near its dead end. Marker is at the entrance to a day-use picnic area and park, directly across the street from a closed restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lee FL 32059, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Florida Honors and Remembers our POW’s and MIA’s (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Florida Honors and Remembers our POW’s and MIA’s (approx. 4.6 miles away); Peace Offering (approx. 9.2 miles away); Middle Florida Missionary Baptist Association / Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 10.3 miles away); The Douglass Center (approx. 12.3 miles away);

The Town of Ellaville Marker image. Click for full size.

circa May 1, 2009

2. The Town of Ellaville Marker

Reverse of Drew Mansion Site marker

Florida Memorial College ~ Original Site (approx. 12.6 miles away); Plot Exposed (approx. 12.8 miles away); Lynnette Ricketson Millennium Park (approx. 12.9 miles away).

More about this marker. Just west of the marker is the old US Highway 90 bridge over the Suwannee, which was closed to vehicular traffic when the current bridge was opened. It is still open to foot traffic, and is used by hikers coming from Suwannee River State Park to access the trails on the west bank of the river.

Regarding Drew Mansion Site / The Town of Ellaville. The remains of Drew Mansion consist of its brick foundations and steps, deep in the woods to the northwest of the marker. Access is by a fairly well-marked, but poorly maintained, trail through a portion of the Twin Rivers State Forest. Maps are available at the Suwannee River State Park on the east bank of the Suwannee.

Some remains of the Town of Ellaville are visible in the woods north and west of the marker. They consist of fragments of brick foundation pillars.

Also see . . .
1. Ellaville - Ghost Town. Vintage photos and information on the Drew Mansion and town of Ellaville. (Submitted on June 16, 2009.)

circa September 2008

3. Drew Mansion Site Marker

View of marker facing east. Old Highway 90 bridge in background.

2. The Drew Family and Their Sawmills. (Submitted on June 16, 2009.)

Drew Mansion Site / The Town of Ellaville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 7, 2020

4. Drew Mansion Site / The Town of Ellaville Marker

After restoration

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 7, 2020

5. Drew Mansion Site / The Town of Ellaville Marker

After restoration

circa May 2009

6. Drew Mansion Site Marker

View of marker facing east, showing entrance to picnic area.

Partial Foundation of Drew Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Albert, January 16, 2011

7. Partial Foundation of Drew Mansion

This is the brick cellar foundation of the ruined Drew Mansion. My friends are retouched out. We found the ruins about 2 o' clock to the picnic table as you find it on the blue blaze trail, about 100 feet away.

Partial Foundation of Ruined Drew Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Albert, January 16, 2011

8. Partial Foundation of Ruined Drew Mansion

Drew Mansion approximately 1870 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tracy Albert, January 16, 2011

9. Drew Mansion approximately 1870

Picture of the Drew Mansion from an informational sign along the blue blaze trail. Caption reads, "Home of George F. Drew around 1870 was the social center of the area. Notice the elaborate gardens."

Closed restaurant across street from Drew Mansion Site Marker image. Click for full size.

circa September 2008

10. Closed restaurant across street from Drew Mansion Site Marker

Abandoned Building in Ellaville, Florida image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Janet Politano Nix, March 15, 2011

11. Abandoned Building in Ellaville, Florida

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2009. This page has been viewed 5,191 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2009. 4, 5. submitted on May 4, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 6. submitted on June 14, 2009. 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 18, 2011, by Tracy Albert of Apopka, Florida. 10. submitted on June 14, 2009. 11. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Janet Politano Nix of Callahan, Florida. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.