They're Still Here: the People of 1821

The occupants of Pensacola in 1821 were a diverse group. Their heritage is reflected in their final resting place.

UWF Archaeology Institute

A view of the north gate on Alcaniz street the image shows the gate of two masonry posts with an arch above that reads St. Michaels Cemetery. To the right of the gate is a sign attached to the iron fence surrounding the cemetery denoting the cemetery as a Florida state park.

History of the Cemetery

The history of St. Michael's Cemetery is the history of early Pensacola. Burials are first marked in the vicinity in the British period. The cemetery is first mapped in the early 1800s and was the primary burial ground for Pensacola's diverse community.

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A 1778 map drawn by Purcell. It shows the colonial town and Fort of Pensacola with the letter E north of the town depicting the burial ground .
The land grand drawn by Pintado It is a small scale map giving dimensions of the cemetery and showing a north arrow and the names of the streets adjacent. In the center of the cemetery area is a large cross with a skull at its base.

Stepping into History

As you enter the South gate on Alcaniz you are stepping onto one of Pensacola's colonial roads. The majority of Pensacola's earliest residents are buried along either side of this road. In the 1940s the cemetery was made a State Park in order to help preserve it for the future. Money from Florida State Parks and from Escambia County pays for maintenance of the cemetery.

Visit the People of 1821

As you visit the markers on this tour you are visiting those individuals whose markers have survived. There are many more individuals buried in St. Michael's cemetery than there are markers. To find out more read  The Search for the Hidden People .

You can visit virtually or you can take your smartphone down to the cemetery and visit with the people of 1821 as you walk the cemetery.

Historic Image courtesy of UWF Archives and West Florida History Center, Modern image courtesy of UWF Archaeology

More to Explore

When you've finished exploring St. Michael's cemetery, please consider visiting some of the places these individuals lived and worked. Properties connected to Pensacola's early history exist throughout downtown Pensacola and the broader Escambia and Santa Rosa County Area. The map below will help you find some of these sites with links to their websites where you can find out more.

Special Thanks

As you enter the South gate on Alcaniz you are stepping onto one of Pensacola's colonial roads. The majority of Pensacola's earliest residents are buried along either side of this road. In the 1940s the cemetery was made a State Park in order to help preserve it for the future. Money from Florida State Parks and from Escambia County pays for maintenance of the cemetery.

Historic Image courtesy of UWF Archives and West Florida History Center, Modern image courtesy of UWF Archaeology