If you’re buying a home for sale in Lake City, you’ll love knowing that there’s plenty to see and do in the area – and that there are some hidden gems, too. Check out these three cool things to see near Lake City; they’re off the beaten path, and maybe a bit forgotten, but they’re definitely worth exploring.
3 Cool Things to See Near Lake City
When you’re up for an adventure, check out:
- White Sulfur Springs Ruins
- Suwanee Springs Bridge
- The Ghost Town of Ellaville
Here’s a closer look at each.
White Sulfur Springs Ruins
Considered Florida’s original tourist attraction, White Sulfur Springs was once a sacred meeting ground for Native Americans who believed the water had medicinal properties. But in 1835, Bryant and Elizabeth Sheffield purchased the land and discovered the spring – and Mr. Sheffield claimed that drinking the water calmed his nerves, improved his kidney dysfunction and cured his rheumatism. The pair then built a hotel and bathhouse, telling everyone it was a health spa that could fix their ailments; even Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Ford visited.
The resort fell out of favor over time, and by the 1990s, the spring dried up. However, the ruins of the old bathhouse still stand – and you can see them near the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. You can find the White Sulfur Springs ruins here.
Related: How much of a down payment do you need to buy a farm in Lake City?
Suwanee Springs Bridge
The Suwanee Springs Bridge – sometimes called the “Bridge to Nowhere” – is completely abandoned save the few graffiti artists who frequent the spot to decorate it with their own brands of art. The bridge, built in 1931, spans 160 feet over the river. It’s abandoned because newer bridges replaced it – but it’s still open to foot traffic. Over the past several years, people have even begun to hang love locks on it. You can find the Bridge to Nowhere here.
The Ghost Town of Ellaville
Ellaville was a Civil War town that thrived in the 1800s, but eventually, a series of tragedies led to its untimely demise. Founded in about 1861, Ellaville centered on a steam-operated sawmill run by the first governor of Florida after Reconstruction. The mill grew quickly, and it soon employed more than 500 people and served as a stop on the Florida Railroad. By the 1870s, around a thousand people lived in the town – but in 1898, a massive mill fire delivered the first blow to the area. Because pine was less available, the town began to decline. Then, a series of floods and eventually, the Great Depression, combined to send the town into oblivion. The post office was the last thing to go – it closed in 1942. All that remains is the old bridge and the foundation of the once-famous Drew Mansion, as well as an old cemetery and a handful of old houses. You can find Ellaville here.
Related: What to do if you see spotted lanternflies
Are You Buying a Home or Land for Sale in Lake City?
If you’re moving to Lake City, we can help you find the perfect place to live. Call us at 386-243-0124 to tell us what you want from your home and we will begin searching right away.
Check these out:
