Forgotten Cemeteries

The 2.5-acre cemetery, believed to be the city's first burial ground for African American residents, was created in 1901. In the mid-1920s, it was owned by white businessmen who sold parts for development.

February is Black History Month and WUSF is commemorating it by shining a light on Floridians who've made an impact on their communities.

The rundown state of the historic Black cemetery is at the center of a legal battle over who is in charge of its operation, upkeep and land.

Lt. Laura Anderson told news stations this week that a nonintrusive archaeological survey performed over the past two years at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa identified 58 probable graves and 63 possible graves.

Military officials say as many as 121 unmarked graves in a former Black cemetery have been discovered at MacDill Air Force Base.

Centuries ago, Philippe Park in Safety Harbor was home to the Tocobaga village. An archeological report found a picnic shelter and an adjacent playground could be sitting on top of Native American graves.

The display uncovers findings about more than 40 lost burial grounds in the Hillsborough County region. Over half of them were used as sites for "colored" people in the era of segregation.

FrankCrum is working with the city to remove the human remains from a cemetery that closed in the 1940s.

The city is moving forward with its own efforts — bolstered by state funds — to restore the Old Groveland Cemetery.

"Grand Rising" will include displays of the Black Cemetery Network's research and documentation, as well as performances by artists and dancers.

Bill sponsor Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said that after four years of pushing the measure, it has become a “labor of love.”

Nigel Rudolph and others in his field argue that burial grounds serve the living more so than the dead, justifying the need for their discovery and protection. Florida lawmakers are recognizing this in the upcoming legislative session.