Summary of Features Scale -1st magnitude Scenery -excellent How Pristine? -houses and cleared land near spring Swimming -outstanding Protection -fine Crowds -small Access - fine, by land or boat Facilities -none Safety -fine Scuba - yes, $10 fee Cost - $3 for carload

Approaching Troy Spring from the Suwannee			Underwater, where ledge drops off
Canoe from below			What remains of the	steamship Madison

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address:  http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description
Troy Spring forms a large oval pool about 100 feet wide and 200 feet long. Water flows from the bottom of a dramatic limestone wall near the back of the pool at a depth of 75 feet. The spring flows from a cave system. The wall is nearly vertical and parallel to the river. The spring run beyond the limestone shelf is 5-10 feet deep in times of normal river heights. Besides the main spring, there is another small vent in the run on the downstream side near a dock. Limestone boulders are visible when the water is clear.

At the lower end of the run lie the keel timbers/ribs of the 19^th century steamship, Madison, which was purposely sunk in the run during the Civil War to prevent it from falling into Union hands. The ribs resemble railroad ties. There is a dock and a house on the south side of the spring. A limestone tunnel of about 20 feet in length is located near the dock.

At the back end of the spring is a large limestone boulder that rises several feet above the water except at times when the river is high. The area directly behind the spring is swampy floodplain, and the other sides of the spring have high natural banks and are thinly forested. The small stagnant stream/slough that flows into the back of the spring seems to be a natural drainage for the surrounding land.

The clarity of the spring varies with the height of the adjacent Suwannee River. In times of low water and dry weather, the water can be very clear and blue. At other times, the spring is just as dark as the river. Gar, other fish, turtles, and alligators may be seen in the spring and its run.

Use/Access

Troy Springs State Park covers 83.59 acres and includes significant archeological and historical sites.

From the park web site:  "A newly paved park drive is available to motorists and a riverfront dock offers canoeists and boaters a mooring platform for access to facilities within the Park.  Diving, swimming, and picnicking are currently available to visitors, while an equestrian facility and hiking trails are under construction."  Also from the web site:  "All diving is open water only.  All divers must show proof of certification before diving.  No solo diving is permitted."

The spring is excellent for scuba, snorkeling, swimming, and wading and is popular with boaters.

Over time, swimmers and divers have chipped away at the remains of the Madison, leaving little left of the 19^th century steamer.

The spring can be crowded with boats on warm weekends.

Although there is little sign of human habitation at the spring today, people have used Troy Spring for at least 2,500 years, according to archeological and historical records. Three aboriginal cultures—Weeden Island, Swift Creek, and Wakulla—left behind evidence of their habitation and/or use of the spring through pottery shards, burial offerings, and hunting implements. Later, Alachua, Suwannee Valley, Indian Pond, Creek, and finally Seminole Indians utilized the spring and adjoining river before being wiped out by diseases, removed, killed, or forced out by European and American cultures.

When Lafayette County was incorporated in 1856, the already existing town of Old Troy was named as its county seat. The town burned to the ground in the 1850s or 1860s. The location of the original town has not been determined with precision, but it was certainly near the spring. By 1860, the town of New Troy was established and remained the county seat until its courthouse burned in 1892 and Mayo was made the county seat shortly thereafter. Between 1860 and the demise of New Troy after the courthouse fire, New Troy was a thriving community with a mill, churches, shops, jail, newspapers, cotton gin, and a steamboat and ferry landing. Today, a few homes surround the spring.

The steamboat, Madison, which had served the region for years as a floating general store, was scuttled in 1863 in the spring upon the order of its owner, James Tucker. The Madison had been used since 1861 as a privateer and jerry-rigged gunboat for the Confederate forces, and had commandeered four Union supply vessels. Tucker and his crew went north to fight in Virginia.

Information from the park web site:
"Troy Springs was purchased by the State of Florida in 1995.  The Florida Park Service started managing the property in 1997.  Troy Springs was not accessible by vehicle during that time only by boat.  Now, development of an entrance road, restroom facility, and accessible walkway has been completed.  Troy Springs State Park was acquired by the Florida Park Service to preserve and protect the resources and still be accessible to the public."

Personal Impressions
Troy is a truly superlative spring, rich in scale, flow, beauty, recreational opportunities, and history.

Nearby Springs
Suwannee Blue, Royal, Bathtub, Convict, Owens, Mearson, Ruth, Little River, Sulfur, Shingle, Branford, Cow, Running

Other Nearby Natural Features

Suwannee River State Park

Itchetucknee River State Park