| Tiger Flowers Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Tiger Flowers Cemetery | |
| Details | |
| Location | |
| Type | Historic African American cemetery |
Tiger Flowers Cemetery is a historic cemetery for African Americans in Lakeland, Florida. Most of its burials are in crypts. It is now city-owned and has struggled with maintenance issues and poor record keeping.[1][2]
The cemetery is named for boxer Tiger Flowers.[1] Burials include Henry Wilkins Chandler. His son-in-law Dr. David John Simpson, who took care of many of the area's Spanish Influenza patients, is also buried there.[3]
Cemeteries in the area were segregated and Tiger Flowers Cemetery is near the Roselawn Cemetery which includes a section for Confederate soldiers.[4] Relocation of a Confederate statue from Lakeland's Munn Park to Roselawn Cemetery's Confederate section a 1/4 mile away from the African American burial ground was considered by the city.[5] The statue was removed in 2018. This was challenged by several individuals, but this challenge was rejected by a federal appeals court in 2020.[6]
References
- 1 2 LEDGER, BILL RUFTYTHE. "Graves at Historic Tiger Flowers Cemetery in Lakeland Showing Wear". The Ledger.
- ↑ "Visitors say conditions need to improve at Lakeland cemetery". www.baynews9.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023.
- ↑ Ledger, Canter Brown Jr Special to The. "African-Americans in Polk County: David John Simpson was a doctor to all". The Ledger.
- ↑ Moore, Kimberly C. "Confederate monument relocation sites narrowed to 2 in Lakeland". The Ledger.
- ↑ "Munn Park Statue Relocation" (PDF).
- ↑ Moline, Michael (2020-06-23). "Federal appeals court OKs removal of Confederate monument in Lakeland's Munn Park • Florida Phoenix". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved 2026-01-26.