The graves that won back land: the Seminole Tampa reservation (Tampa, 1980–1981)

SUMMARYThe graves that won back land: the Seminole Tampa reservation (Tampa, 1980–1981) [Connections: Tampa Bay, Nov 5, 2026]

RECORDThe Tampa Historical Society's Fort Brooke Cemetery marker says the cemetery, set up during the Second Seminole War (1835–42) for soldiers, civilian employees and "Indians," was forgotten until workers found it in 1980 building a city parking complex. On March 24, 1981, 102 soldiers and civilians were reburied at Oaklawn Cemetery; on August 5, 1981, "the spirits of 42 Seminoles" were honored with a burning-herbs ceremony at the Seminole Shrine on Orient Road. WUSF reports that the city found "the remains of 144 Indians and 102 non-Indians," that "The Seminole Tribe deemed the land a sacred burial site," and that the city bought 8.5 acres at I-4 and Orient Road in a land swap; Chairman James Billie credited the 144 people with helping the Tribe establish the reservation, which grew into the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (opened 2004). Florida Seminole Tourism says nine acres were put in trust in 1980

PATTERNThe dead under downtown became the legal basis for the first Seminole land in Tampa since removal

DISPUTED42 Seminoles (marker, Clio) vs. 144 Indians (WUSF) vs. 146 total individuals (Lammie); 8.5 vs. nine acres

LENS (WW9)The ancestors under the garage bought their people's way back into the city

OPENReconcile the counts from the Piper excavation report; the land-swap agreement text

SOURCEFort Brooke Cemetery marker (USF Exploring Florida); WUSF, Seminole Hard Rock 10th anniversary (2014); Florida Seminole Tourism; Fort Brooke (Clio).