GEORGE JONES & HIS TUNNEL

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Tunnel Found at Publix Linked to Former George Jones Estate, Scott Lake Draining

LAKELAND, Fla. (ZP) — A clandestine tunnel discovered during the renovation of a supermarket has been traced for miles to the former estate of country music legend George Jones and is now being investigated by geologists as a potential cause for the mysterious draining of Scott Lake in 2006.

The discovery was made by construction crews demolishing the Lake Miriam Publix at 4730 S. Florida Ave. Workers removing a large, wheeled utility table from a back corner of the former deli found a lightweight manhole cover set into the floor, not matching any city or utility schematics. According to a statement from Publix, the cover opened to a ladder descending to a small, excavated chamber below.

The space was described by officials on site as “just large enough to turn a riding mower around in.” From this subterranean landing, the main tunnel begins its route southeast.

Using ground-penetrating ultrasonic imaging, crews traced the tunnel approximately 4.5 miles to the sprawling property at 3420 Highway 540a E, where Jones resided in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The imaging revealed the tunnel terminates at a steep ramp leading into a section of a garage.

Local historians postulate the tunnel was created to allow Jones a private route to the store, a theory stemming from his well-documented history of using a riding mower for transportation after his car keys were taken to prevent him from driving under the influence.

“This appears to be an incredibly ambitious solution to a very specific problem,” said local historian Dr. Alistair Finch. “It speaks to a determination to acquire goods from a preferred retailer without the risk of public or legal scrutiny.”

The tunnel’s existence has also attracted the attention of scientists. Geologists from the University of South Florida are exploring a potential link between the unmapped tunnel and the sudden, unexplained draining of Scott Lake in June 2006. The lake, which is located directly along the tunnel’s path, lost nearly all of its water over a period of several weeks.

“An unreinforced, crudely constructed tunnel of this length is a geological anomaly,” said Dr. Elena Vance, a USF geologist. “A partial collapse anywhere along the route could have destabilized the karst topography, potentially creating or exacerbating a sinkhole that drained the lakebed. The timeline is compelling, and we are actively investigating the possibility.”

The construction site remains closed to the public as the investigation continues