Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ridgewood Cemetery

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 20, 2023

1. Ridgewood Cemetery Marker

Inscription. In 1933, the City of Tampa bought a 40-acre parcel at this location, later setting aside five acres for a pauper’s cemetery to bury indigent residents. In 1942, the City of Tampa named the cemetery Ridgewood, and it was actively used between 1942 and 1954 as a burial ground for African American and indigent families in Tampa. The cemetery remained mostly undisturbed until the City sold the land to investors, who then sold it to the School Board of Hillsborough County in 1959. In 1960, King High School was opened on the north end of the property, opposite the cemetery. In 2019, Tampa resident Ray Reed shared records with the school district of a possible cemetery at that site. Historical records vary, but indicate that between 250 and 268 burials occurred at Ridgewood. As many as 77 of those burials were infants or small children. Scans done by ground penetrating radar show 145 burials still intact in the south area of the school’s property. Every record discovered indicates all burials were done in the same small area – taking up about one acre. Following an investigation, legal authority was turned back over to the school

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district. A memorial, designed by Jerel McCants, was completed in 2022.
A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2022 by Skanska, Hillsborough County Public Schools, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1207.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 28° 0.455′ N, 82° 23.554′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is at the intersection of North 56th Street (Florida Route 583) and North Street, on the right when traveling north on North 56th Street. Marker and memorial are located behind the school near the football stadium in a fenced off area with parking. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6815 North 56th Street, Tampa FL 33610, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 20, 2023

2. Ridgewood Cemetery Marker

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spanish Exploration of Temple Terrace (approx. one mile away); War Correspondents Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Temple Terrace POW and MIA Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Temple Terrace Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Mrs. Bertha Honoré Palmer (approx. 2 miles away); Temple Terraces Country Club Sutton Hall (approx. 2.1 miles away); Reverend Billy Graham (approx. 2.1 miles away); Rogers Park Golf Course (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Reverend Billy Graham (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Ridgewood Cemetery Memorial. (Submitted on July 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Ridgewood Cemetery Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 20, 2023

3. Ridgewood Cemetery Memorial

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 20, 2023

4. Ridgewood Cemetery Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 458 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.