Tampa takes control of land built over historic African American cemetery

A change of ownership for Zion Cemetery

Negotiations between the city of Tampa and a local businessman leads to new ownership for Zion Cemetery. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer gives us the story. 

TAMPA, Fla - A unanimous vote by Tampa City Council marked a major step toward honoring those buried and long forgotten at Zion Cemetery, the city’s first African American cemetery established in 1901.

The backstory:

The decision clears the way for the city to take control of land where graves were discovered beneath decades of development, bringing renewed momentum to efforts to properly recognize the historic site.

The vote came Thursday, approving a land swap deal with Tampa businessman Richard Gonzmart, who owned one of the properties built over the cemetery.

Under the agreement, the city will take over Gonzmart’s land. In exchange, he will receive property near Ulele, where he plans to build something new.

Timeline:

Zion Cemetery was built in 1901 and served as Tampa’s first African American burial ground. Over time, the cemetery was built over and largely erased from public memory.

Six years ago, scientists identified more than 100 graves at the site. Historians believe hundreds more may be spread beneath Robles Park Village and nearby private properties.

City leaders and community members have spent years working to reclaim the land.

"This process of bringing justice to those who are buried at Zion Cemetery and recognizing their hardship and the value to our community is long overdue," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said.

Why you should care:

For descendants, the effort is deeply personal.

"I have a great-great-grandmother whose remains were interred in 1912. She was a former slave. She worked as a cook, and she was here in Tampa," Jeraldine Williams, with the Zion Cemetery Preservation and Maintenance Society, said. "It is emotional on many levels for me and I share with my family so that they can understand where we have come from," she said.

Historians and community leaders say the land deal represents meaningful progress.

"This is a big step in our progress, and we're looking forward to the day when the memorial site and the genealogy center open here on Florida Avenue," Tampa historian Fred Hearns said.

What's next:

The city has not yet reached an agreement with another property owner connected to the cemetery site, leaving a portion of the land still unresolved.