Posted by Tanya Arja on 2/24/2023 9:33:00 AM

For Immediate Release 

Contact:   Tanya Arja  
                           Hillsborough County Public Schools  
                           Office of Communications 
                           813-272-4060 

HCPS is one of the first known public entities in the region to take action by memorializing individuals buried in forgotten graves 

Tampa, Fl. (February 24 2023) – Hillsborough County Public Schools is proud to unveil a beautiful memorial honoring the men, women, and children buried at Ridgewood Cemetery, the one-acre pauper’s cemetery, on the southern edge of the King High School property.  

On Monday, February 27, at 9 a.m., media representatives are invited to a short presentation and unveiling of the memorial and historical marker (parking instructions below). 

The district is honored that the site has been designated as an official historical site by the State of Florida’s Division of Historical Resources and Bureau of Historic Preservation. Architect Jerel McCants designed the memorial with a vision to “reclaim what was lost and allow it to be accessible to students, staff, and the community to find a place of peace and contemplation.”  

In the fall of 2019, the district received information from a citizen about a possible cemetery on the property at King High School. The district took immediate action by fencing off the area and within days, hired a team of geophysical technicians to begin mapping and scanning the southern end of the campus.  

The scans conducted by the technicians found clear evidence of approximately 145 burials still intact. Through historical city and county records, documents show that in 1933, 90 years ago, the City of Tampa bought a 40-acre parcel at this location. An area on the southern part of the property became a pauper’s cemetery to bury African American and other indigent residents until 1954. Historical records vary, but they show between 250 and 268 burials at Ridgewood Cemetery. After several years and transactions, the school district eventually bought the property and King High School was built, opening on the north end of the property. 

Now, with this memorial, the individuals buried at Ridgewood Cemetery will be remembered with dignity and from this day forward, will not be forgotten. The memorial monument is located within the burial grounds and is positioned in an area not to disturb any burials underneath. Every attention to detail was considered by global construction firm Skanska USA, who donated time and materials to create the memorial.  

Jerel McCants’ inspiration for the memorial is a dove’s wings – the symbol of the soul’s release from its earth-bound duty. The angles of the memorial are all intentional along with the dimensions used, which are divisible by the number “7” representing completeness. The pedestal is 7’ high and sloped to support (2), 7’ wide by 21’ long wings. The wings are pitched at 42 degrees, which is the optimum angle to see a rainbow.  

The reflection pond is 21’ by 21’ and it emphasizes the importance of the circle of life, as water is pumped up the pedestal and empties into the pond giving action and movement, constantly regenerating. The walkway around the reflection pond is 35’ by 35’ and completes the memorial design. 

Ensuring the highest level of respect for the individuals who are buried in this cemetery and their descendants has been a top priority for the district since the day we were notified. District leaders are grateful for the members of the Historical Response Committee, a group of local community representatives who were brought together back in 2019 by the district to discuss proper ways to memorialize the individuals at Ridgewood Cemetery.  

Media: Please RSVP to let me know if you will be sending a crew to the unveiling. 

Parking information:  

King High School’s address is 6815 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33610. Parking for the unveiling can be found just south of King High School. (Please do not park in the King High School parking lot). There is a paved lot within walking distance of the memorial. If you are traveling south on 56th Street, you will pass King High School on your left, and you will make a U-turn at E. Diana Street. If you are traveling north on 56th Street, look for the gate immediately after North Street.