St. John's Coalition in Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Colored Section

— St. John's Cemetery —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025

1. Historic Colored Section Marker

Inscription.
While always open to all faiths and backgrounds, the cemetery was considered progressive at its inception to have an area (even numbered Sections 32-44.5) reserved for people of color. This included Native Americans, dark skinned Hispanics or Italians, and those of African Ancestry.

Erected 2018 by Pensacola Bay Area Impact 100 and St. John's Cemetery Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 30° 24.982′ N, 87° 14.094′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in St. John's Coalition. It can be reached from the intersection of North G Street and West Belmont Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is near the center of the St. John's Cemetery grounds, about 200 meters west of the gatehouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North G Street, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in

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the Deep 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.

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: Morris Slater (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument Sculpting (within shouting distance of this marker); Mollie McCoy (within shouting distance of this marker); Burials (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary W. Willis (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mary Lewis Willis (about 400 feet away); Samuel G. French (about 400 feet away); Inventor of FSU Tomahawk Chop (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. John's Cemetery

Also see . . . Pensacola's history comes to life within St. John's Cemetery (St. John’s Cemetery website).

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025

2. Historic Colored Section Marker

Looking southwest through St. John's Cemetery.

Excerpt: Founded nearly 150 years ago by a local Masonic Order, St. John's is one of Pensacola's oldest and most historic cemeteries that is still in use today. Originally established on the edge of town, St. John's served as Pensacola's primary burial site for more than 100 years.
In the late 19th Century, many of Pensacola's business leaders and government authorities were Freemasons and used the organization to fulfill the community's need for a new public cemetery to meet the changing demographics of the area. Since its first internment in August 1876, St. John's Cemetery has been open to all citizens - there has never been any restriction concerning race, faith, creed or color within its grounds. It should be noted, that was a unique decision on the part of the Masonic Lodge members for that era.

(Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.