Ten Possible Graves Detected at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg

An expanded ground-penetrating radar survey at Tropicana Field’s parking lots in St. Petersburg, Florida, has revealed at least 10 likely graves, along with 11 areas of interest and nine disturbances, at the former site of Oaklawn Cemetery, a historically segregated burial ground established in 1905 and condemned in 1926. The findings, delivered to city officials in November 2024 but kept from the public and descendants, have reignited calls for transparency and respect for those buried, especially from City Councilmember Corey Givens Jr., who has a personal ancestral connection to the site. Stantec, the firm behind the study, emphasized that any archaeological work should involve consultation with descendants and stakeholders before proceeding. The discovery has also raised concerns about the impact of future redevelopment plans for the area, with advocates urging preservation and commemoration of the historic cemeteries. Community members and historians highlight the long history of neglect and erasure of African American cemeteries beneath modern developments, demanding greater recognition and protection for these sacred spaces. The St. Petersburg City Council is set to discuss the findings and potential next steps in an upcoming meeting.