Yesterday, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced that as a result of research following the discovery of human remains at Miraflores Park in June 2021, the city will conduct a burial ground study of the park’s grounds to assess, interpret and commemorate the site.
Miraflores Park was originally known as Havana Square before being renamed in 1965 as part of Pensacola’s Fiesta of Five Flags celebration. Ongoing historic research has identified multiple historic documents including newspaper articles, meeting minutes, legal records, and a map indicating that Havana Square was used as a burial ground primarily for people of African American or Creole descent.
I spent time this morning reviewing newspaper archives and found a report from City Engineer Galt Chipley to the city board of commissioners that was published in The Pensacolian on August 13, 1887. Chipley wrote, “I find all the city squares and Bayview Park free of trespass except Malaga Square, occupied by schoolhouse and Havana Square, which is being used as a negro graveyard.”
He recommended, “If Pensacola grows, as we expect, this square will be the most beautiful in the city. It is situated on rising ground and at such an elevation that a fine view of both bio and bay can be had. I would suggest that further interment should be stopped and all those already buried should be removed.”
I found no mention of whether the bodies buried at the cemetery were ever removed. We know of two that were not.
A couple other notes: The Boy Scout building was named the Elebash Boy and Girl Scout Center in 1952 to honor the late Eugene Elebash – an initiative by the Kiwanis Club. It’s not clear if Elebash is the Sr. or Jr. Eugene Elebash, Sr. founded Elebash Jewelry Co. with his brother LeGrand when they bought a watchmaker and jewelry business in 1919 from Peter Lindenstruth.
Havana Square was renamed Miraflores Park on June 12, 1965 to honor Pensacola’s sister city, Miraflores, Peru. A bust of Peruvian poet Ricardo Palma was placed in the park.
I research old newspaper archives all the time when trying to figure out something related to a city issue or when asked by a councilmember to fact check something claimed by the mayor. I once found the same newspaper reference above. Inexplicably, a 26-page History of Pensacola Parks document posted to the city’s website does not mention Havana Square, when it became Havana Square or why it was named as such. The June 18, 1906 edition of The Pensacola Journal has a very interesting two-page story about all of the city’s parks. About Havana Square the newspaper reports, “It is also known as Florida Square.” There is a separate description of Florida Square with the same location and a comment, “It is not improved, in spite of its name suggesting flowers.” On August 29, 1918, a Doctor Colson applied to the city to engage in “truck farming” in Havana Square. From 1934 on I have seen the building in the park referred to as Scout House, Boy Scout Lodge and the Scout Center. Built in January and February 1934, there is a time capsule placed behind the cornerstone. At some point, in 1952 I think, the building was remodeled and expanded. On September 28, 1952, the building was renamed the Eugene P. Elebash Scout Center in honor of Mr. Elebash the “Senior.” It does say so in the reporting. C.H. Overman, Sr., the father of C.H. Overman, Jr. my late next-door neighbor and who took the pictures at my wedding, presided at the ceremony. I also found that as recently as 1987 the Sierra Club held its meetings there and it was referred to as “Elebash House.” At one point, there was discussion about building an auditorium in Havana Square that could hold 200 people. At one point, Scouting was such a big deal in the city that the newspaper had extensive reporting on each Scout Troop and its activities. Some Scouts once went on a long hike to DeFuniak Springs! My late next door neighbor Mr. Broxton used to lead Scout hikes from East Hill to a swimming hole on Carpenter’s Creek. At his wake, the family was showing pictures and one of his three sons (all Eagle Scouts) described how they used to skinny dip in the swimming hole before hiking back. A lady present said that she had been a Girl Scout and they used to hide out by the swimming hole and watch the Boy Scouts swim. As for the bust of Ricardo Palma, is it still there? In 1968, it was stolen.