CLEARWATER, Fla – After five days of digging, archaeologists with Cardno have found 25 graves buried on and across the street from the former Curtis Fundamental School in Clearwater.
Heather Leigh
A critical piece of evidence: “This is the name tag of Mr. William Ridley who was buried here in 1951,” said Jeff Moates, regional director of the Florida Public Archeology Network.
It proves what many community members have been saying for years: The lawn at the corner of Engman Street and Holt Avenues still contains the graves and bodies of more than two dozen African American people.
Heather Leigh
For Barbara Sorey-Love, it also shows a dark side of history.
“It shows disrespect for African Americans,” she said. “The devaluation of our value and truth always comes out. The truth always comes out. “
Archaeologists have also found all sorts of items that people would normally leave in graves, plus coffin nails and hardware associated with graves.
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“The community has been out of answers for too long, and now they are getting the answers, and that shows respect,” said Sorey-Love.
The cemetery was in use from 1940 to about 1954. Historical documentation indicates that a relocation process took place when the school district acquired the land for a city swimming pool. The land exchange depended on the removal of all graves.
“We are clearly learning that this provides insight into our past and that our past deserves a little more research,” said Bill Horn, the City Manager for the City of Clearwater.
“These are all examples of remnants of structural racism, how black lives have long ceased to matter,” Moates said. “This means that these places belong here, they have to stay here. These places are sacred. “
Archaeologists say they have not found a whole lot of 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 were intended.