Similar Memorial Plan Miami Memorial, Lincoln Memorial Park (Jes, Graceland Memorial Park North, City of Miami Cemetery |
Charlotte Jane Memorial Park Cemetery formerly known as Coconut Grove Bahamian Cemetery, is a historic cemetery in Miami, Florida where many Bahamian settlers were buried.
Contents
For other cemeteries in Florida, see Cemeteries In Florida
Geography
The Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery located at 3575 South Douglas Road in Coconut Grove.
History
Florida was first used as a graveyard in the early 1900s by Miami's Bahamian immigrants. The original cemetery lot was deemed too small by the city to accommodate the growing community and therefore, it was moved to its new location. The action by the city resulted in the forming of the Coconut Grove Colored Cemetery Association which was fashioned to oversee the responsibilities of the cemetery. The land for the cemetery was purchased in 1913 for a total of $140.00 by five prominent families; the Burrows, Higgs, Reddick, Ross and E.W. F. Stirrup.
The cemetery was renamed Charlotte Jane Memorial Park after the wife of E.W.F. Stirrup a prominent land owner and millionaire in the Grove. The layout of the cemetery is of the above the ground burial style which is very popular in locations at or below sea level and are prone to flooding. The Coconut Grove Cemetery is located at 3650 Charles Avenue in the Coconut Grove District of Miami, Florida. The cemetery is a historic site for the Coconut Grove Bahamian community.
Inspiration For Thriller
It is said that Michael Jackson’s song Thriller was inspired by the cemetery.
Buried Bahamian pioneers
Many prominent Bahamian pioneers are buried in this cemetery in either marked or unmarked graves: