Coconut Grove in Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

1. The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery was first used as a graveyard for the Grove's Bahamian settlers in 1906. The community's original cemetery was a small lot opened by the city in 1904 on what is now the 3500 block of Charles Avenue. That site was judged by the town leaders to be too small to accommodate the needs of the growing population and the cemetery was moved to its present location. Because of the upset caused by moving the cemetery, the "Coconut Grove Colored Cemetery Association" was formed to take over the responsibility for the yard. In 1913, five families purchased the property for $140.00 as trustees for the Association. These families were the Burrows, Higgs, Reddick, Ross and E.W.F. Stirrup families, all of whom were local civic leaders. Many of Coconut Groves' Bahamian pioneers are buried in this cemetery. Joseph Mayor who owned the bicycle shop is buried here, as are Daniel Anderson, a Bahamian seaman and his wife Catherine who was one of the founders of Christ Episcopal Church. Captain John Sweeting, a successful developer and commercial fisherman, and his family are also here. Many more of the original settlers of the Grove may also rest in this cemetery in the numerous unmarked graves. Some of the markers in this cemetery are unique to South Florida. The twelve anthropomorphic or "head and shoulders" stones are found no where else in Dade County. They reflect Bahamian background and rich African American culture of the neighborhood. Today the cemetery is still cared for by the Coconut Grove Cemetery Association and is recognized as an historic site.

Erected by Coconut Grove Cemetery Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 25° 43.528′ N, 80° 15.153′ W.

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Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in Coconut Grove. It is on Charles Avenue 0.1 miles east of Southwest 37th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3650 Charles Avenue, Miami FL 33133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida

and on the Gold Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Churches (within shouting distance of this marker); Evangelist Street Charles Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Architecture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cocoanut Grove Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Cocoanut Grove Public Utilities Company (approx.

The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery Marker with cemetery in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 24, 2018

2. The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery Marker with cemetery in background

¼ mile away); St. Mary First Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elizabeth Virrick Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Allen Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away).

Coconut Grove Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson

3. Coconut Grove Cemetery Marker

View of Charles Avenue looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson

4. View of Charles Avenue looking west

Coconut Grove Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson

5. Coconut Grove Cemetery

The cemetery scenes in Michael Jackson's Thriller video were shot here.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2014. This page has been viewed 1,755 times since then and 160 times this year. Last updated on June 6, 2020. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on July 23, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 4. submitted on July 22, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 5. submitted on July 23, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.