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St. Michael's Cemetery is an eight-acre green space in the heart of historic Pensacola, Florida. Probably in use during the late 18th century, the land was officially designated a cemetery by the King of Spain in 1807. Although assigned to the Catholic inhabitants of Pensacola, people of all faiths have been buried here. The cemetery is an open air museum that is a testament to the diverse nature of Pensacola history. Pensacola drew immigrants from around the world who came to West Florida to make their fortunes or seek adventure. The cemetery is the resting place of captains of industry, victims of Yellow Fever epidemics and casualties due to steam ship explosions, along with those who died in child birth, as infants and of old age. Tombstones in the cemetery reflect not only the status and ethnicity of individuals, but also society as a whole on the Florida Gulf Coast frontier. There is a strong sense of place and identity in the cemetery; a feeling of community. As is often the case in older cemeteries, St. Michael's has declined over the past 200 years. Vandalism, neglect, hurricanes and natural aging have all contributed to the physical decline of the cemetery. Recognizing not only the historical importance of the site but its potential as an open air museum in the urban environment, residents of Pensacola supported a major restoration project at the cemetery. Geographers from the University of West Florida surveyed the cemetery using a total station (a precision survey instrument) and an interactive map was constructed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A database with ancillary information about the graves and photographs of the grave markers was also generated and is linked to the map. Clicking on a grave displays the information about that grave. The finalized map and database are available to the public on the UWF GIS homepage. In the Fall of 2000, archaeologists began using ground penetrating radar to establish the absence/presence of unmarked graves and identify vacant land for possible future development. While the cemetery will retain its original configuration, the site will undergo a major restoration of existing walkways, historic plantings, and the addition of support buildings on the perimeter of the property. This exciting project has had a positive effect on the urban environment
of downtown Pensacola, providing a tranquil
green zone for citizens. The restoration of St. Michael's Cemetery
is an excellent example of preserving our past to benefit our future.
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