Evergreen Cemetery (Bartow, Florida)

Cemetery in Bartow, Florida

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

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

1. ^ "Historic Evergreen Cemetery in Bartow, FL". Visit Florida.
2. ^ "Tours to remember leaders at Polk County's oldest known Black cemetery".
3. ^ http://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]
6. ^ "Evergreen and Palm Cemetery". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
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".

## External links

[edit]

* Evergreen Cemetery at Find a Grave

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