10/18/2000 Application to State
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BRANCH OFFICE
3117 OVERSEAS mGHWAY
MARATIiON, FLORIDA 33050
TEL. (305) 289-6027
FAX (305) 289-1745
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
MONROE COUNTY
500 WHITEHEAD STREET
KEY WEST, FLORIDA 33040
TEL. (305) 292-3550
FAX (305) 295-3660
BRANCH OFFICE
88820 OVERSEAS mGHWAY
PLANTATION KEY, FLORIDA 33070
TEL. (305) 852-7145
FAX (305) 852-7146
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
October 20, 2000
TO:
Dent Pierce, Director
Public Works Division
ATTN:
Beth Leto,Administrative Assistant
Public Works Di(t"Sion
Pamela G. Hanco
Deputy Clerk
FROM:
At the October 18, 2000, Board of County Commissioner's meeting the Board granted
approval and authorized execution of a Florida Historical Marker Application for Old Island
Restoration Foundation, Inc. to erect an African Slave Burial Ground marker at Higgs Beach
across from the West Martello Tower.
Enclosed please find a certified copy of the above for your handling. Should you have any
questions please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Cc: County Administrator w/o document
County Attorney
Finan<je
File ./
Q&LD 3fSLAND l\.ESTORATION .1'OUNDATION 3J'NC.
P.O. Box 689, Key West, FL 33041
Established 1960
September 14, 2000
Mr Carlos Zarate
Senior Director ofFacili',it's
Monroe County Public Works
3583 South Roosevelt Boulevard
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Mr Zarate
Enclosed is our application to the State of Florida to erect an historical marker to note the
African Slave Burial Ground in Key West. This marker is to be erected across the street
from the West Martello Tower. The marker will be cast aluminum, with the text area
measuring 30" high and 42" wide. The marker will be dark blue with white text. The
marker will be mounted 4' above the ground on a metal and concrete post. The attached
sheet gives the specifics :)fthe marker This will be similar to the historical markers
located in front of the Audubon House, Clinton Square, the Porter Mansion, Building 21
in the Truman Annex, the old Convent on Truman Avenue, etc.
The entire cost of this project will be born by Old Island Restoration Foundation, Ine If
the county needs to do the actual excavation and erection of the monument we will
reimburse you for all expenses. We need your approval on the second page (line 11) of
the application before we submit this to Catherine Clark, the State Historic Marker
Coordinator in Tallahassee, She said that after she approves an application it takes about
eight weeks for a marker to be cast. We would like to have this project completed by next
February so we can have a dedication ceremony during Black History Month.
lfycu have any question', regarding this request please contact me at 294-9501 1
appreciate all the assistance that Monroe County can provide in recognizing an incident in
Key West history that had national significance,
Sincerely,
~~tt~
David L. Roumm
Executive Director
RECEIVED
SEP 14 2000
: Ify :k\CA~c..J
FLORIDA HISTORIC MARKER PROGRAM
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
FIDRID\
HERITAGE
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MARKER TYPES
Standard Florida Historic Marker
Cast aluminum, text area is 30" high X 42" \\ide; dark
blue background; letters and Florida Heritage emblem
are white; comes with a 7' concrete post coated with
brushed aluminum (three feet of the post goes into
ground.). Prices range depending on length of text
(average price for marker with same text on both sides
is $1440.)
Purpose: This is the principal marker used to recognize
historic sites of interest throughout Florida.
Great Floridians Plaque
"
i
Interpretive Florida Historic l\Iarker
Anodized aluminum, 24" long X 24" wjde and 3/8"
thick, blue background with silver letters; text limited to
one side only; the mounting plate is at a 30 degree
angle; the square aluminum silver post is 4V2' high.
Price: $1,015.
Purpose: To supplement the standard marker by
providing further information regarding the site. This
marker can also include graphics and photographs.
Dark blue porcelain enamel on anodized aluminum, Florida
Heritage emblem and letters are white; the round plaque is
12" in diameter with a 7'4" edge; text limited to name of
historic person, date line and type of association with property;
plywood mounting block provided upon request; Price: $175.
Purpose: to recognize properties associated with deceased
persons who have contributed to the rich fabric of Florida
history and culture.
FLORIDA HISTORICAL MARKER APPLICATION
HR3E171294
1. Historic Name of Resource
Historic Name ILF {{ l (A N & U R If L r;.A. 0 U rJ'V ,f I tf (6G:f f 6 K /I
Suggested Marke"r Title ~ CAN If U A.1.4-L. r;:.A.-o V tV P - J ! 6 0
2. Location of Resource
Street & Number _1' 00
City J(~Y WEST
&lOCk OF ,fTl,1JJTLC
County M (J N~g E
fou L~'V~~'()
Zip Code
3 30Cfo
3. Property Owner
OwnerName MON~e CtJUNTY
Street & Number > 00 W J/-fT€ H 6- A- V
CityffownKE;Y WEST
S'TR€ ET
State fLbIHO,4
Telephone (30.>) 'l,q 2- 3 <+3 t)
Zip Code 3 .3 0 t{-IJ
4. Classification of Resource
Type of Ownership:
Private (Individual) 0
Private (For Profit) 0
Private (Non-Profit) 0
Type of Resource:
Public (Local) ~
Public (State) 0
Public (Federal) 0
Building 0
o
~
Structure 0
o
o
~tt }JOV RS ,4 P ,1.:'1
,
()JY
c V 6~ Y
District
Object
Other
Site
Public Access to Site (days of week & hours site available to public
(Access to certain parts of the site may be restricted by the property owner)
5. Marker Type & Category
Type of Marker Applied for:
B Standard Marker
o Supplementary Marker
a Florida Heritage Plaque
Category:
o Florida Heritage Site (Locally Significant)
~ Florida Heritage Landmark (Regional & Statewide Significance)
Is request for a new or replacement marker~ Ma~D Replacement
I~ resource listed in the National Register of Historic Places? 0 Yes 8 No
6. Resource Description
:r
CJ 0
(Briefly describe the historic and current physical condition of the Resource. Use continuation sheets if neces :z:
Or-~
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7. Statement of Significance
(Briefly explain the significance of the Resource. Use continuation sheets if necessary.)
S~ E CtJI'ITINUJT{ON ~IIE€T
8. Marker Text
Please submit 'a proposed text for your marker typewritten on a continuation sheet. Text limits for the three types of markers are:
. Standard Marker: 19 lines, 1,235 characters (The same text will appear on both sides of the marker.)
. Supplementary Marker: 10 lines, 300 characters (Text appears on one side only.)
. Heritage Plaque: No more than 50 characters. Information is limited to the name of the historic person and the dates and type of
association with resource, e.g., .Claude Pepper Law Office 1925-1930.
9. Required Documentation
Please submit the following items with the completed form.
Major BibJiographical References
Cite the books, articles and other sources that provided the historical and descriptive information used in preparing this application.
Maps
A sketch map and site plan showing the location of the resource. Also indicate on the map where the historical marker is to be erected or
placed.
Photographs
Submit at least one recent photograph of the resource to be marked. Photocopies of photographs, drawings and other artistic
representations are not acceptable. '
Please Indicate what persons or organizations (if other than the property owner) will be responsible for the erectton and
maintenance of the Florida Historical Marker or Plaque. (Use continuation sheet If necessary.)
6LO ISLANO Rf;f((J/{A--tl~fV fa V/'IO#TION
PI 0 f 80,,- 63'j
l{€''( WfST,FL 330Cf{- otic;
(30)) 2..tf If- q S" () I
10. Form Prepared By
Name 1) tv 10 L l ROv Mt:'! / E;~€CVTIV{ VIAECTOA.j 0 J RF
Street & Number 322. OUVAL. ST~ EET Telephone (3dS) l,ql.f~9~tJl
Cityrrown --'<bY WGST State _F L- Zip Code '33t:J<tb
11. Owner Approval Statement
Owner Signature
~r ey reman, ayor
11wle~&~~~&I Board of County
,~
As the owner, or the official representative of the owner, of the pro
submission of this application to place an Official Florida Historic
;/it~. u1.4.v
African Burial Ground at Higgs Beach
Continuation Sheet
Paragraph 6 - Resource Description
The site of the 1860 African Burial Ground is occupied by the West Martello Tower, a
Civil War fort used today by the Key West Garden Club as their headquarters and
showplace gardens. Part of the Burial Grounds lie east of the fort in an area of
recreational beach. We propose to locate a roadside marker on Atlantic Boulevard across
from the entrance to the fort, Atlantic Boulevard is a two lane blacktop street with no
curb or sidewalks. A blacktop bicycle path follows along part of the western side of the
street. The exact spot for the marker is a grassy area near several palm trees and picnic
tables
Paragraph 7 - Statement of Significance
In the spring and summer of 1860 three ships carrying cargoes of slaves from the west
coast of Africa were intercepted in the Caribbean by the D.S, Navy. The slaves were
taken to Key West and housed in temporary barracks along the Atlantic side of the island
until they could be repatriated to Africa. However, 294 died within weeks from tropical
diseases or suicides and were buried on the area of the island today known as Higgs
Beach. Most of the Africans were taken back to the continent, mostly to Liberia. The
incident received national publicity, appearing in "Harper's Weekly" of June 2, 1860 and
"Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper" of June 23, 1860,
Paragraph 8 - Marker Text
African Burial Ground - 1860
Near this site lie the remains of294 Africans who died in Key West in 1860. In the spring
of that year three ships carrying cargoes of African slaves bound for Cuba were captured
in the Caribbean by the U.S. Navy. 1432 Africans were rescued and brought to Key West,
where they were housed until they could be returned to Africa, Most were taken to
Liberia in west Africa by August; however, 294 died of disease and depression and were
buried in unmarked graves on Higgs Beach where West Martello Tower stands today.
Marker erected by Old Island Restoration Foundation - 2001
Paragraph 9 - Required Documentation
See attached binder prepared by Gail Swanson for the Florida Keys Maritime History
Conference, May 2000
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