Troy Spring holds a steamboat story under the water
Troy Spring State Park in Lafayette County has clear spring water and the Civil War-era wreck of the Madison below the surface.
Troy Spring looks like a swimming hole until you learn what rests below it.
Florida State Parks identifies the shape in the spring as the remains of the steamship Madison, tied to the Civil War. The park also sits near the Suwannee River, so the story is not separate from the water. It is part of why rivers and springs mattered so much before roads made inland Florida easier to cross.
The park is in Lafayette County, about six miles northwest of Branford. Its Branford mailing address is useful for directions, but the park itself sits outside both Branford and Mayo.
Before going, check current swimming, diving, trail, and river conditions. Certified divers have their own rules, and casual visitors should not treat the wreck like something to touch or disturb. The best way to understand Troy Spring is to look carefully, keep the place intact, and let the water tell more than one story.
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Places in this note
Sources
- Florida State Parks - Wreck of the Madison
- Florida State Parks - Troy Spring State Park
- Florida DEP - Troy Spring State Park Management Plan
Last checked against these sources: July 27, 2026.
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