My story takes place in Green Cove Springs, Florida, a small town in Clay County, resting on the western banks of the historical St. John's River. Seeing Green Cove from across the river in St. John's County, it looks like a lush green paradise, full with oaks and peppered with tall pines reaching for the sun as they shade the banks with their thick foliage. Our town is located on the St. John's at a point where the river makes a 90-degree bend as it flows northward to the Atlantic Ocean. This bend forms a huge cove, where fish and wildlife are abundant. Up the banks near the downtown area is a huge natural spring that constantly flows thousands of gallons of crystal clear water into the St. John's. Conveniently, the public pool, with its surrounding park, was constructed in the path of the flowing spring water. Green Cove is a quiet town with a rich history. She can tell you stories of her past that will keep you spellbound for hours. I am proud to have been born and raised there. Green Cove also has a past that most people would never have known about...

That is, until now.