The perilous cave exploration of Convict Springs

By Starr Munro Riverbend News On the South side of the Suwannee River, Northeast of Mayo in Lafayette County, lies Jim Hollis's Suwannee River Rendezvous. Inside that resort/campground lies Convict Springs, a well-known spring to locals, with the story behind its naming just as familiar. In the early 1900's the State of Florida used the property to house chain gangs who were on work detail if they worked too late into the evening to be brought back to Lafayette County Jail. Most residents of Mayo know of the artifacts from that time in history that are sometimes unearthed in the area. But, some may be interested to learn about the dangerous cave diving of the past that is no longer per