Police have determined Friday that the remains found at a construction site in Oceanway were those from a "documented cemetery," according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Other evidence found at the site was consistent with grave burials, including nails, wood, metal and handles. According to veterans grave registration for 1940-1941 in Duval County, the site is confirmed as a documented cemetery, the Sheriff’s Office said. The document lists it as “Eastport (Colored) Cemetery.”
"Many of the minorities settled in that area to settle for their own community," said Duval County Property Appraiser Jerry Holland.
Late Thursday afternoon, excavation crews uncovered a marked headstone with a name and military rank inscribed on it at the construction site near Interstate-295 and North Main Street, police said.
Police are working to locate and living family members of that person to notify them of their findings.
After finding the headstone, excavation operations stopped in accordance with FSS 872.02 related to "injuring or removing tomb or monument; disturbing contents of grave or tomb." Police said this was done to the remains were "handled in the most sensitive and appropriate manner."
Police said that according to the Work Progress Administration Veteran’s Grave Registration for 1940-1941 in Duval County, the site was confirmed to be a documented cemetery.
"We will document in the public records so that anyone in the future will know this is where the cemetery, possibly Pollytown, and that minority community was located," Holland said.
The Florida Department of Transportation and the State Archaeologist have been notified of this information and the rest of the remains will be processed by state officials and affiliated experts, police said.