Tiger Flowers Cemetery facts for kids

Tiger Flowers Cemetery is a special historic cemetery in Lakeland, Florida. It was created specifically for African Americans during a time when cemeteries were separated by race. Most people buried here rest in special structures called crypts. Today, the city of Lakeland owns this cemetery.

The cemetery is named after a famous boxer named Tiger Flowers. Many important people are buried here, including Henry Wilkins Chandler. His son-in-law, Dr. David John Simpson, who helped many people during the Spanish Influenza outbreak, is also buried in this historic place.

Discovering Tiger Flowers Cemetery

Tiger Flowers Cemetery is a very important place that tells us about the past. It shows how communities were organized a long time ago. This cemetery is a quiet place where we can learn about the lives of African Americans in Lakeland's history.

Why is Tiger Flowers Cemetery Important?

This cemetery is important because it was one of the few places where African Americans could be buried during a time when laws and customs kept people of different races apart. It served as a vital community space for funerals and remembering loved ones.

Who Was Tiger Flowers?

The cemetery is named after William "Tiger" Flowers, who was a famous American boxer. He was known for his incredible skill in the boxing ring. Naming the cemetery after him honored his achievements and his connection to the African American community.

Notable People Buried Here

Many people who helped shape the community are buried at Tiger Flowers Cemetery.

• Henry Wilkins Chandler: He was a respected leader in the African American community of Lakeland.
• Dr. David John Simpson: He was Henry Chandler's son-in-law and a doctor who cared for many people, especially during the time of the Spanish Influenza. This was a serious illness that spread around the world many years ago.

Cemeteries and History in Lakeland

In the past, many places, including cemeteries, were segregated. This means that people of different races were kept separate. Tiger Flowers Cemetery is located near another cemetery called Roselawn Cemetery. Roselawn Cemetery has a section where Confederate soldiers are buried. The closeness of these two cemeteries shows the history of segregation in the area.