Zion: 839 recorded burials, nearly 300 graves found, a memorial instead of apartments (Tampa, 2019–2020)

SUMMARYZion: 839 recorded burials, nearly 300 graves found, a memorial instead of apartments (Tampa, 2019–2020) [Connections: Tampa Bay, Nov 5, 2026]

RECORDUSF reports that a Tampa Bay Times investigation of death certificates and records found 839 burials listed in Hillsborough County records, and that FPAN archaeologist Rebecca O'Sullivan's team used GPR on Housing Authority land and "located nearly 300 unmarked graves." FOX 13 reports at least 115 more graves were confirmed in January 2020 on N. Florida Ave. land owned by restaurateur Richard Gonzmart, who said: "Let them rest in peace." The Housing Authority ordered five buildings relocated on August 21, 2019, so the land can be "permanently preserved." USF librarian Drew Smith, tracing descendants: "We die twice."

PATTERNThe county's own death records name hundreds of people that the land records said were gone

LENS (WW9)The death certificates are the receipts: hundreds of names the deed said were moved

OPENThe full list of 839 names and how many descendants have been found

SOURCEUSF News, Feb. 14, 2020; FOX 13, Jan. 7, 2020; Tampa Heights Historic Association.