CLEARWATER, Fla – After five days of excavations, archaeologists with Cardno have found 25 graves buried in a lot on the street and across from what was the Curtis Fundamental School in Clearwater.
Heather Leigh
A crucial test: “This is the plaque of Mr. William Ridley, who was buried here in 1951,” said Jeff Moates, regional director of the Florida Public Archeology Network.
It demonstrates what many members of the community have said for years: the grassy ground at the corner of Engman Street and Holt Avenue still preserves the graves and bodies of more than two dozen African Americans.
Heather Leigh
For Barbara Sorey-Love also shows a darker side of the story.
“It shows disrespect for African Americans,” he said. “The devaluation of our value and truth always comes out. The truth always comes out ”.
Archaeologists have also found all sorts of objects that people used to leave in the tombs, as well as coffin nails and tools associated with the tombs.
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“For too long, the community has been left with no answers, and now they get the answers and respect it,” Sorey-Love said.
The cemetery operated from 1940 to 1954. Historical documentation shows that there was a relocation process when the school district acquired the land for a city pool. The exchange of land was subject to the removal of all the tombs.
“We’re clearly learning that this provides information about our past and that our past deserves a little more exploration,” said Bill Horn, Clearwater City Manager.
“These are examples of structural racism waste, of how black lives haven’t mattered in a long time,” Moates said. “What is said to belong to these places must remain here. These places are sacred. “
Archaeologists say they have not found much documentation about the people buried here and hope the community will help develop a clearer picture so that these people can be honored and remembered as intended.