Historic Lake Ella, Tallahassee FL
Local Treasure in the Heart of Tallahassee
The beautiful and historic Lake Ella is located in north-central Tallahassee. It is surrounded by almost a mile of walking trails, picnic areas, shelters, and over a dozen shops and restaurants.
0.8 Mile Trails
Almost a mile of paved, packed gravel and natural surface walking trail around the lake.
Shops & Restaurants
There are a dozen shops and restaurants next to the this charming lake.
Quick Facts
Lake Ella is one of the most highly rated lakes in Tallahassee, FL. Its scenic and relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a leisure stroll or peaceful picnic with friends or family. The lake is also next to a dozen charming shops and restaurants.
Built in 1925
The cottages on the west end of the lake were built in 1925 as a part of the Tallahassee Motor Hotel and, at the same time, changed its name to Lake Ella from Bull Pond.
Park Amenities
The park has picnic shelters, benches, a gazebo, tables, water fountains, and a restroom. There are also electric scooter rentals accessible around Lake Ella.
12 Shops & Restaurants
A dozen shops and restaurants are accessible around the lake, and countless more are across Monroe Street.
Recreation
The park is a perfect recreational ground for picnics, group activities, shopping, and exercising, like walking, biking, running, and skating. Visitors also enjoyed fishing and feeding the ducks, geese, and turtles at the lake.
18.5 Acres
Combined, Lake Ella and Fred O. Drake Park are approximately 18.5 acres. Almost a mile of walking trails loop surrounds the lake with an elevation gain of 6 feet.
Park Access
The park offers two van-accessible parking spaces and street parking around the lake. The trail, commonly over 5 feet wide, combines pavement, packed gravel, and natural surfaces.
Shops & Restaurants
Most shops and & restaurants next to Lake Ella occupied the historic stone cottages constructed almost a century ago as part of the Tallahassee Motor Motel - a once popular honeymoon and vacation resort.
Leon’s at Lake Ella
Leon’s Catering Cottage
Big Fish Real Estate
Black Dog Cafe
Barb’s Southern Style Gourmet
Hot Love Tattoo
Divine Cosign
Big Easy Snowballs
The Barbershop at Lake Ella
Joe’s Bicycle Shop
Avant-Garb
Quarter Moon Imports
Lake Ella Timeline
Over the years, many interesting moments happened in Lake Ella, and most are rarely documented. Here are some of the moments we found in the archive.
Bull Pond (Lake Ella) Locals
Local visitors of Lake Ella (formerly known as Bull Pond). In the picture are Back: Genevieve G. Dillon, Harry L. Beadel, and Front: Lilia C. Dyer and Valle Randolph.
Bull Pond
Bull Pond Park area. Bull Pond (also known as Buhl Pond) was later changed to Lake Ella around 1926 after the construction of the stone cottages for the Tallahassee Motor Motel.
Fishathon at Lake Ella
Fishing tournaments were held where 1500 boys and girls participated, ranging in age between 3 and 16 years old, at Lake Ella.
Motor Court Postcard
Lake Ella Motor Court cottage postcard.
Dining Room
Tallahassee Motor Hotel Dining Room
Tallahassee Motor Hotel
East side of U.S. Highway 27, Monroe Street and on the west side of Lake Ella.
Water Skiing
Water skiing during the Fourth of July celebrations at Lake Ella.
Accident
Accompanying note: "This car, driven by Miss Marian Hobby with three other young ladies as passengers, left the road and ended up in Lake Ella Friday night. Miss Hobby said she was blinded by the lights of an oncoming police car which apparently kept going without knowing she was in the lake. Both the police department and the sheriff's office said they had no record of any car being in the vicinity of the lake at that time. None of the car's occupants was hurt."
Family Affairs
Fishing at Lake Ella was a family affair.
Feeding the ducks
Mother and daughters feeding the ducks at Lake Ella.
Aerial View
Aerial view of Monroe Street and Lake Ella.
Flooding
Accompanying note: "Nearly seven inches of rain pushed Lake Ella over bank ...cars were blocked from many Tallahassee streets Friday morning".
Fourth of July
Locals are celebrating Fourth of July at Lake Ella.
Gazebo
The gazebo and park area at Lake Ella.
Aerial View
Aerial view of Lake Ella facing east.
Fountain and Gazebo
The view of the Lake Ella fountain and gazebo from the Fred O. Drake Park area.
Come visit us
We invite you to visit us, try our well-crafted dishes, and take in the incredible and serene atmosphere of the historic Lake Ella.
