Collier County commissioners designate two outlying Rosemary Cemetery plots as historically significant

Collier County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 28 to designate two outlying parcels of the historic Rosemary Cemetery as historically significant and to accept quitclaim deeds for those parcels.

Amanda Townsend, director of Collier County Museums, told commissioners the 1944 survey by engineer Cambier shows Rosemary Cemetery once covered roughly 30 acres with Pine Ridge Road as the northern edge and U.S. 41 the western edge. Two small parcels identified on the survey as plots W and N were not previously included in the county’s preserved portion, Townsend said. "We would ask for your consideration to accept the historic designations and the quitclaim deeds on these properties," she said.

Why it matters: The parcels include burial sites that local historians and residents say date to the early 20th century and include African American burials that, according to museum records, were previously unmarked and unprotected. Town staff and the Historical Archaeological Preservation Board recommended designation in October 2024.

During public comment, Boy Scout Jonathan Rodriguez, who said he had raised more than $18,000 for an Eagle Scout project to bring attention to plot N, argued for recognition and restoration of segregated and abandoned burial sites: "Restoring abandoned segregated cemeteries is an essential act of justice, dignity, and historical preservation," Rodriguez said. Vincent Keyes, representing the local NAACP, and resident Lois Bolen also spoke in support.

Commission discussion included recollections of earlier, contentious proposals to relocate graves and statements about the county’s prior investments in the cemetery that sits near the Pine Ridge Road and Goodlett Frank Road intersection. Planning and Zoning Director Mike Bozzi summarized the Historic/Archaeological Preservation Board’s 5–0 recommendation to the commission.

Formal action: The board approved three companion items together—resolution to designate plot N (item 9a), resolution to designate plot W (item 9b), and acceptance of two quitclaim deeds for outlying Rosemary Cemetery parcels (item 11a), with recording costs not to exceed $62.50. The motion passed unanimously.

The vote completes action to expand the county’s formal recognition and protection of the cemetery parcels; staff will record deeds and proceed with the administrative steps described in the resolutions.

The designation draws together museum research, a volunteer Eagle Scout project and requests from local community members, and county staff said it will help preserve burial sites that were not previously fenced or recognized.

The county did not adopt any relocation plan at the meeting; speakers described past proposals to move remains and said relocation had been controversial. The commission approved only the historic designations and deeds before it.

Ending: County staff and museum officials said they will coordinate next steps for deed recording and outreach to families and community groups who have been involved in the research and restoration work.