Evergreen Cemetery (Bartow, Florida)

Evergreen Cemetery
Evergreen Cemetery
Details
Location	Bartow, Florida
Type	Historic African American cemetery
Size	4.6 acres (1.9 ha)

Evergreen Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery in Bartow, Florida.^[1]^[2]

In 2014, the city commission passed a resolution to acquire the cemetery through eminent domain. No owner was reportedly known and the historic character and deteriorating condition of the cemetery were listed.^[3] A court order gave the city ownership of the cemetery in December 2014 and a cleanup and survey were planned.^[4] A cleanup of the cemetery was scheduled for November 21, 2020. It covers 4.6 acres.^[5] The cemetery is on the city's west side along busy State Road 60 and Baker Avenue.

In 2022, Polk County erected a historical marker on the site.^[6]

Burials

Benjamin F. Livingston a Reconstruction era legislator.^[7]
Prince Johnson, one of Bartow's city founders^[8]
Ossian Sweet and his father Henry W. Sweet^[9]
George W. Bayley, father of Bartow mayor Charlie E. Bayley^[10]
Andy and Tamer Moore^[11]

References

^ "Historic Evergreen Cemetery in Bartow, FL". Visit Florida.
^ "Tours to remember leaders at Polk County's oldest known Black cemetery".
^ http://www.cityofbartow.net/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4760 ^{[dead link‍]}
^ Schottelkotte, Suzie. "City of Bartow Taking Over Cemetery". The Ledger.^{[dead link‍]}
^ Schottelkotte, Suzie (Jul 14, 2013). "News Chief, City commissioners looking to breathe new life into Bartow cemetery". www.newschief.com – The Ledger.^{[dead link‍]}
^ "Evergreen and Palm Cemetery". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
^ "The Polk County Democrat". ufdc.ufl.edu. pp. 1, 17. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
^ "Guide to African-American Heritage Landmarks and Historic Sites in Florida". Visit Florida. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
^ Boyle, Kevin (2007). Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-1429900164 – via Google Books.
^ "Magazine". September 23, 1986 – via Google Books.
^ "Polk's Black history continues to shape community".

External links

Evergreen Cemetery at Find a Grave

27°53′50″N 81°51′15″W / 27.89722°N 81.85417°W / 27.89722; -81.85417

[1] "Historic Evergreen Cemetery in Bartow, FL". Visit Florida.

[2] "Tours to remember leaders at Polk County's oldest known Black cemetery".

[3] ttp://www.cityofbartow.net/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4760 ^{[dead link‍]}

[4] Schottelkotte, Suzie. "City of Bartow Taking Over Cemetery". The Ledger.^{[dead link‍]}

[5] Schottelkotte, Suzie (Jul 14, 2013). "News Chief, City commissioners looking to breathe new life into Bartow cemetery". www.newschief.com – The Ledger.^{[dead link‍]}

[HM-6] "Evergreen and Palm Cemetery". Retrieved 31 December 2023.

[Polk_County_Democrat-7] "The Polk County Democrat". ufdc.ufl.edu. pp. 1, 17. Retrieved 26 September 2020.

[8] "Guide to African-American Heritage Landmarks and Historic Sites in Florida". Visit Florida. Retrieved 26 September 2020.

[9] Boyle, Kevin (2007). Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-1429900164 – via Google Books.

[10] "Magazine". September 23, 1986 – via Google Books.

[11] "Polk's Black history continues to shape community".

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