Tiger Flowers 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
- ^ a b LEDGER, BILL RUFTYTHE. "Graves at Historic Tiger Flowers Cemetery in Lakeland Showing Wear". The Ledger.
- ^ "Visitors say conditions need to improve at Lakeland cemetery". www.baynews9.com.
- ^ Ledger, Canter Brown Jr Special to The. "African-Americans in Polk County: David John Simpson was a doctor to all". The Ledger.
- ^ Moore, Kimberly C. "Confederate monument relocation sites narrowed to 2 in Lakeland". The Ledger.
- ^ https://www.lakelandgov.net/media/6535/memo-re-munn-park-statute-relocation-03-13-18-1.pdf