CLEARWATER, Florida – After five days of excavations, archaeologists with Cardno found 25 tombs buried in a lot on the street and across from what used to be Curtis Elementary School in Clearwater.
Heather Leigh
Crucial evidence: “This is the nameplate for Mr. William Ridley, who was buried here in 1951,” said Jeff Moates, regional director of the Florida Public Archeology Network.
This proves what many community members have been saying for years – the lawn at the corner of Engman Street and Holt Avenue still contains the graves and bodies of more than two dozen African Americans.
Heather Leigh
For Barbara Sorey-Love, it also shows a darker side of the story.
“It shows disrespect for African Americans,” she said. “The devaluation of our value and truth always appears. The truth always comes out. “
Archaeologists have also found all kinds of objects that people normally leave in graves, as well as coffin nails and hardware associated with graves.
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“For a long time, the community has been left without answers and now they are getting the answers, and they are paying respect,” said Sorey-Love.
The cemetery operated from 1940 to around 1954. Historical documentation shows that there was a relocation process when the school district acquired the land for a municipal swimming pool. The exchange of land was conditional on the removal of all graves.
“We are clearly learning that this is providing a vision of our past and that our past deserves a little more exploration,” said Bill Horn, the city manager for Clearwater.
“All of these are examples of residues of structural racism, how blacks live black lives doesn’t matter for a long time,” said Moates. “What that means is that these places belong to this place, they need to stay here. These places are sacred. “
Archaeologists say they haven’t 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 they should be.