Drayton Island facts for kids
Saint Johns River with Drayton Island on right.
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 Drayton Island
Location in Florida
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| Geography | |
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| Coordinates | 29°21′40″N 81°38′20″W / 29.36121°N 81.63888°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Lake George |
| Administration | |
| State | Florida |
| County | Putnam |
Drayton Island is a private island in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is covered in thick woods. You can find it at the northern end of Lake George. The island is on the west side of the main channel of the Saint Johns River.
During the time when steamboats were popular on the St. Johns River, Drayton Island was a regular stop for tourists. A hotel was built there in 1875, but it sadly burned down in 1878. A small neighborhood was created, and some of those original homes are still standing today.
Before 1865, crops like cotton were grown on the island. Also, orange groves produced special fruit that was sold for a good price in northern markets. On the north end of the island, there are very old mounds built by Archaic Native American people. These mounds are now owned by The Archaeology Conservancy.
The St. Johns River is a long river that boats can travel on. It goes from Sanford, Florida, all the way to Jacksonville, Florida. Lake George is about 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of Jacksonville. The lake itself is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) long and 7 kilometers (4 miles) wide. Drayton Island is quite large, covering about 688 hectares (1,700 acres). It sits in the northern part of Lake George. A smaller island called Hog Island is located to the west of Drayton Island.
The island is located across the river from a town called Georgetown. A small public ferry connects Drayton Island to the mainland. This ferry can carry two cars at a time and is one of only three ferries left on the river. The current cost to ride the ferry is $25.00.
Contents
Island History and Its Name
Early Ownership and Naming
The island was once a large farm known as a plantation. William Drayton Sr, who moved from South Carolina, bought this island and other land in Florida. The island was named after him. He was an important judge, serving as the chief justice of East Florida from 1765 to 1780. This was during the time of the American Revolution.
The Drayton Island Ferry
The ferry that connects Drayton Island to the mainland helps people get to and from the island. In 2001, a man named Edward Babbitt operated this ferry. He had been running the ferry for more than 40 years, helping the island's residents and visitors. The ferry currently charges a $10 toll.
Ancient Indian Mounds on Drayton Island
Protecting Historical Sites
On the northern part of Drayton Island, there are important historical sites. These are called Archaic Indian Mounds. They were built by Native American people many, many years ago. These mounds are now protected. They are owned by The Archaeology Conservancy, an organization that works to save important archaeological places.
