Hike to the Drew Mansion Site, the Historic Hillman Bridge across the Suwannee River, Suwannacoochee Spring, and maybe up the Withlacoochee River a bit just to take a look.

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 1 PM, Saturday, February 7, 2026

Put In: Town of Ellaville site, 596 NE Drew Way, Lee, FL 32059

GPS: 30.386812, -83.175257

Ellaville Hike, Withlacoochee River, Drew Mansion 2026-02-07, Historic Hillman Bridge, Suwannacoochee Spring

Since the Drew Mansion Burned down at about 6:30 PM on December 11, 1970, there’s not much to see at that site other than some remains of the foundations. But we will be among the few to see those. Plus many other sites nearby on the WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail map.

Here’s what the Drew Mansion looked like shortly before it burned:

Drew Mansion, Ellaville, FL, shortly before it burned, 1970-12-01 — Florida Memory

Boats: None. This is a hike.

Bring: Sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, warm clothes, drinking water, snacks, and first aid kit.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.

Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot hike with us.

Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online:
https://wwals.net/outings
Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.

We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!

https://wwals.net/donations

Here are some pictures of the town site and Historic Hillman Bridge:
https://wwals.net/?p=67510

Sign, The Town of Ellaville, 2025:04:22 09:57:52, 30.3866911, -83.1752520

More Hillman Bridge and a glimpse of the Suwannee River Store ruin:

https://wwals.net/?p=68550

Bacon James, Gainesville, FL, with a Bluegrass song, Ellaville. 2025-09-06

Lyrics for “Ellaville,” by Bacon James:

Verse 1:

Up where the Swanee meets the Crooked River
There’s a growing industry
The governor’s mansion, mill and saw
Carved from trees alone
I’ve heard the springs there could be clean enough
To wash away the old me
They say a man could find a job
Maybe start a home

….

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/878273458090854/
meetup

Duration: 4 hours

Paddle: None.

Shuttle: None.

Host: Russ Tatum

Contact: John S. Quarterman

Backup: in case of bad weather or high or low water is: Reschedule

More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Short Link: