City of Pensacola explores additional historic sites in Miraflores Park

Pensacola, Florida (WKRGMore) — In June 2021, a group of Boy Scouts found a human remains while cleaning Miraflores Park. Their findings led to the discovery of what was once an African-American and Creole cemetery.

DC Mayor Reeves announced Tuesday at a weekly press conference that the remains were determined to be over the age of 75.

“These were the people,” Mayor Reeves said. “They were part of a community. These people may be the ancestors of today’s Pensacorians. I believe that how that story unfolds should be treated with sensitivity and respect.”

The Boy Scouts alerted the Pensacola Police Department about the remains, but officials from the PPD, coroner’s office, and the Department of Anthropology at the University of West Florida concluded that there was no evidence of a crime related to the remains.

Skeletal analysis by UWF anthropologists found that the remains were likely those of a woman aged 35 to 44 and a man aged 40 to 47.

The City of Pensacola has published several historical documents, including newspaper articles, meeting minutes, legal records, maps, and the use of the land as a cemetery for African and Creole peoples from 1884 to 1887. indicates that This ground was formerly known as Havana Square.

Adrian Walker, the City of Pensacola’s Cultural Resources Coordinator, said, “During historical times, Pensacola has been very diverse and structured as a multicultural community, which is not always easy to define.

The city is currently exploring options for ground-penetrating radar and non-invasive surveys to determine if there are other unmarked burial sites underground.

The City of Pensacola has jurisdiction over the burial grounds, and Mayor Reeves has announced a community advisory group that will decide how the community would like to commemorate the park, ultimately planning the re-housing of the two individuals.

“It’s important not to disturb the grounds of Miraflores Park any further and to respect the final resting places of these historic community members,” Walker said.