Confederate Monuments: My visit to Olustee Festival, I-75 Confederate Memorial, and Mt Zion Slave Cemetery.

I went to Lake City to check out part of the Olustee Civil War Battle Festival and was amazed at some of the sites I found. While in Lake City I visited the historic museum and spoke with the volunteers and even had a small conversation with the Mayor. I learned of the history of the event and some of the current politics that have entered into event this year. The Mayor indicated he hoped they could get some of the difference solved so next year the 2 CSA groups would be back to march in the parade. We will see.

Stars and Bars flying at the Lake City Museum

While talking with the volunteers I discovered there was another Confederate Monument just up the road past I-10 at the State Farmers Market. So off I went to find it. As I drove I was scanning the skyline for a large Confederate Naval Jack flag flying. Just past I-10 I spotted it! Flying high in the wind was a huge Naval Jack Confederate Flag! I jumped off I-75 and went to see it. It was a very windy day and I as I approached the memorial the flag was flying strong. It was a beautiful site. When I got to the memorial I found it to be very well done. There is a beautiful bench memorial with a color Battle Flag on it. There are also 4 other large monuments listing the Confederate Soldiers from 13 states and Indian nations. This monument is a must see.

The Large Naval Jack Flying right next I-75

Memorial at the base of the flag

After seeing the Farmers Market Flag I stopped back by the museum and the volunteers told me about a Slave Cemetery in LULU which is about 10 miles outside of Lake City. I jumped in my car and went in search of this potentially amazing find. As I arrived in Lulu I could see it was pretty much a ghost town. I drove up and down small back roads hoping to find the cemetery. I had no luck. I tried to google it on my phone but I had no coverage, so I headed home. Once I was back in Lake City I googled it once again. I could not just leave knowing I was so close. Sure enough, I was VERY close. The cemetery is just south of Lulu by 1/2 mile on the main road I was on. Excitedly I spun around and traveled at 80 plus mph back to Lulu. When I arrived this time I knew where I was going! 1/2 mile past the old general store there is was. An old weathered sign marking the spot. I pulled off and headed over to see this unique cemetery. There I found 2 marked grave sites. One was Joseph Anthony the man who cared for this little cemetery for years and years. Atop his grave is a rake. I can only speculate it is the rake he used to care for this cemetery. Next to him is his daughter who carried on as care taker after her dad death in 2000. She passed in 2009. The ground is very uneven and there are no grave markers. The cemetery is in need of a caretaker for sure now as it is falling into disrepair. I will return to do a little cleaning and freshen up the flowers. I plan to see if I can get the local Sons of Confederate Veterans to help maintain it in the future.