Controversy Erupts Over Potential Development at Showmen’s Rest Cemetery in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. — A current real estate listing has sparked a renewed debate over the future of a parcel belonging to the Showmen’s Rest Cemetery in Tampa. Aileen Henderson, whose family has ties to the cemetery, is leading the charge to prevent potential development on this sacred ground.

Background of the Showmen’s Rest Cemetery

The Showmen’s Rest Cemetery was founded to honor circus and carnival entertainers from the Tampa Bay area. This unique burial site, located at the 3500 block of North Boulevard, is owned by Showmen’s Rest Inc., which also comprises a vacant parcel that is now up for sale for $750,000.

Family Ties and Preservation Efforts

Aileen Henderson has family members interred nearby in the adjacent Woodlawn Cemetery and is determined to protect the integrity of the Showmen’s Rest property. She previously mobilized community members to lobby against a proposed land use change that would have allowed residential development on the cemetery grounds.

"We proved back then that it was a cemetery, and I guess we’re just going to have to do that all over again," said Henderson, expressing her frustration.

Goals of Showmen’s Rest Inc.

Teresa Caddick, a representative of Showmen’s Rest Inc., emphasizes that their motives in selling the land are rooted in financial necessity. She stated:

"What we need now is the funds to care for Showmen’s Rest Cemetery in the long term… a perpetual fund that will maintain this property when we are all long gone."

Over the years, the number of burials in the cemetery has decreased significantly, prompting the organization to sell the adjacent parcel.

Legal and Zoning Status

While the parcel is currently zoned for residential development, the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser categorizes the land as a cemetery. Henderson insists that there needs to be clarity regarding the existence of graves on this second parcel, advocating for continued preservation.

Geophysical Investigations

To address concerns over potential burials, Showmen’s Rest Inc. commissioned a geophysical survey by GeoView in 2021. This is the same company that uncovered 145 graves at Ridgewood, a former African American cemetery at King High School.

According to GeoView’s report on the Showmen’s Rest parcel:

"Based on the results of the field testing of twelve previously identified features, it appears that graves are not present at the project site."

However, they noted that further tests would be necessary for absolute confirmation.

The Current Listing and Community Concerns

The real estate listing for the property acknowledges its proximity to a cemetery but fails to note its designation under the appraiser’s records. Henderson pointed out:

"There have been no taxes paid since they purchased that property in the 1970s because they list it as a cemetery. It’s a cemetery, and that’s what we continue to advocate for."

Conclusion

The ongoing debate over the future of the Showmen’s Rest Cemetery land reflects broader issues concerning historical preservation and community values. As Tampa’s residents weigh in on the potential development, the fight for the cemetery’s legacy continues.

For more information on cemetery preservation efforts, visit National Trust for Historic Preservation and to know more about local real estate listings, check out Zillow’s Tampa Listings.

By keeping the community informed and engaged, Henderson and other advocates hope to preserve the dignity of this unique historical site.