Tiger Flowers Cemetery Explained

Tiger Flowers Cemetery
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Location:	Lakeland, Florida
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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Graves at Historic Tiger Flowers Cemetery in Lakeland Showing Wear. BILL RUFTYTHE. LEDGER. The Ledger.
2. Web site: Visitors say conditions need to improve at Lakeland cemetery. www.baynews9.com.
3. Web site: African-Americans in Polk County: David John Simpson was a doctor to all. Canter Brown Jr Special to The. Ledger. The Ledger.
4. Web site: Confederate monument relocation sites narrowed to 2 in Lakeland. Kimberly C.. Moore. The Ledger.
5. Web site: Munn Park Statue Relocation.