Kelci Pascoe – The Corsair
In this economy it is difficult to find something enjoyable to do without breaking the bank. The PJC Historic Society offers fun and free historic walks downtown. They are a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning having fun, getting a good dose of fresh air, and learning about Pensacola’s rich history.
On Nov. 7, the PJC Historic Society hosted a free walking tour of St. John’s Cemetery, led by PJC history professor Randall Broxton. The tour, which lasted just under two hours, was an enjoyable and enlightening one.
St. John’s Cemetery is named after St. John the Evangelist, one of the original disciples of Christ.
According to Ted Nickinson, caretaker of St. John’s, “This cemetery was founded in 1876 and developed in 1877 and 1878. The first burial was in 1878 but some of the markers show dates as far back as the 1830’s.”
Much of the cemetery’s architecture is greatly influenced by Greek and Egyptian art. According to Broxton, “Many of the monuments show much influence by ancient Greek and ancient Egyptian art. The tombstones are pieces of art in themselves.”
Some of the colors of the monuments vary from the typical stone color. “Pink and Green marble was sometimes utilized for markers,” said Broxton. “These colors come primarily from Greece and Italy, once again showing the influence of Greece on some of these markers.”
Most of the monuments at St. John’s were imported by train and then assembled. One of the most interesting monuments here is Beverly Ashby’s, which depicts the tree of life that has been cut off at the top, representing that there once was life but now it has abruptly ended.
There are about 11,000 markers in this cemetery with an estimated additional 2,500 grave sites with no markers. “Many of these unmarked grave sites are the final resting places of men that were lost at sea,” said Broxton.
Most of these grave markers have an interesting story behind them. The 14th governor of Florida, Edward Aylsworth, who was also a confederate war general, is buried here along with many other famous Pensacola residents such as the Wentworth family, the Turner family, the Cook family and the Barrs family.
One of the most interesting figures buried at St. John’s was related to George Washington. “The granddaughter of George Washington’s only sister died in Pensacola in 1834 and was buried in a family cemetery in Cantonment. She was later interred at St. John’s in 1899,” said Nickinson.
Covering ten city blocks and over 26 acres of land, St. John’s still has new burials to this day. Nickinson says, “It is the largest cemetery in the area [besides] the Barrancas National Cemetery.”
Despite being considered hallowed ground, vandalism continues to be a problem at cemeteries; St. John’s is no exception. “Vandalism is a huge problem here at St. John’s,” said Broxton. “A little while back we had some ‘imported’ vandals from Mobile come here and try to take all the angels in the cemetery. Luckily these men were detained by a few of the cemetery’s neighbors who noticed the men sneaking around. It was a classic case of citizens exercising their rights to a citizen’s arrest.”
Currently there are not many tours of this cemetery; however, in time, a regular walking tour of the cemetery will be developed.
“Dr. Randall Broxton does one or two tours here each year.” said Nickinson. “We also have two memorial services on Commemoration Day and All Saints Day.”
Broxton said, “We always try not to repeat any sites with each tour, with the exception of a few. With every tour we visit different grave sites.”
Nickinson thinks it is very important for people to appreciate the cemetery and all the history Pensacola holds.
“I wish for people to know the historical significance of the thousands of citizens and their roles in the history of Pensacola after the War between the States,” he said.
The PJC historic society, along with Mr. Broxton, will be hosting yet another historic walk on March 20th 2010, at Alabama Square; it will be a tour of historic North Hill.
If you would like more information on the upcoming tour, or how you can get involved with the PJC historic society, contact Randall Broxton: 484-1099 rbroxton@pjc.edu.