Moffett Cemetery

---

Site Brief:

Founded: 1888

Location: St. Petersburg, FL

Additional name(s): St. Petersburg Cemetery

Affiliate group(s):

• University of South Florida

• African American Cemetery Alliance of Tampa Bay

• Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)

 

---

History:

Moffett Cemetery was founded in 1888 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Originally designated for Civil War veterans, Moffett Cemetery was later used for African American burials. Moffett cemetery, as well as neighboring Evergreen and Oaklawn cemeteries, operated until 1926 when all three properties were closed and condemned by order of city officials. Per city ordinance, persons buried at Oaklawn, Evergreen and Moffett cemeteries were to be relocated based on race, with African Americans moved to Lincoln Cemetery and whites moved to Royal Palm Cemetery. The site now sits beneath the interstate which leads in and out of downtown St. Petersburg.

---

Resource links:

• https://lib.usf.edu/news/the-lost-african-american-cemeteries-of-tampa-bay-whats-being-done-to-remember-them/

• https://crowsneststpete.com/2021/01/31/preserving-african-american-history-through-burial-ground-research/

• https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/04/20/are-there-graves-still-buried-on-the-tropicana-field-property-

• African American Burial Grounds Oral History Project | Florida Studies | University of South Florida (usf.edu)

---

BCN Contact Information:

Antoinette Jackson

atjackson@usf.edu

https://heritagelab.org/