Tiger Flowers Cemetery

Coordinates: 28°03′12″N 81°56′38″W / 28.0534°N 81.9438°W / 28.0534; -81.9438
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Tiger Flowers Cemetery
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Location
TypeHistoric African American cemetery

Tiger Flowers Cemetery is a historic cemetery for African Americans in Lakeland, Florida. Most of its burials are in crypts. It is now city-owned and has struggled with maintenance issues and poor record keeping.[1][2]

The cemetery is named for boxer Tiger Flowers.[1] Burials include Henry Wilkins Chandler. His son-in-law Dr. David John Simpson, who took care of many of the area's Spanish Influenza patients, is also buried there.[3]

Cemeteries in the area were segregated and Tiger Flowers Cemetery is near the Roselawn Cemetery which includes a section for Confederate soldiers.[4] Relocation of a Confederate statue from Lakeland's Munn Park to Roselawn Cemetery's Confederate section a 1/4 mile away from the African American burial ground was considered by the city.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b LEDGER, BILL RUFTYTHE. "Graves at Historic Tiger Flowers Cemetery in Lakeland Showing Wear". The Ledger.
  2. ^ "Visitors say conditions need to improve at Lakeland cemetery". www.baynews9.com.[dead link]
  3. ^ Ledger, Canter Brown Jr Special to The. "African-Americans in Polk County: David John Simpson was a doctor to all". The Ledger.
  4. ^ Moore, Kimberly C. "Confederate monument relocation sites narrowed to 2 in Lakeland". The Ledger.
  5. ^ "Munn Park Statue Relocation" (PDF).

28°03′12″N 81°56′38″W / 28.0534°N 81.9438°W / 28.0534; -81.9438