October 7, 2010 - Rosewood Historical Marker Vandalized (again)
The Rosewood historical marker was dedicated in 2004 (click for text), and has been repeatedly vandalized ever since. This typically takes the form of unknown persons wrapping a chain around the sign or its support post and violently dragging the sign away. The sign is typically recovered within a few weeks in one of the many swampy areas surrounding Rosewood. The marker was once again vandalized by unknown persons in late September or early October, 2010. I learned about this from a descendant who visited the area recently, and I documented the area the morning of October 7, 2010.
In the past, personnel with the Florida Historical Markers Program have commented that this marker is the most problematic of any in the state. Vandalism towards this marker surpass all others, demonstrating that Rosewood's past remains controversial, and tensions still exist in this rural area of northern Florida. When I first visited Rosewood in 2005, the marker was supported by two posts simply placed in the ground. However, by 2008 the Division of Historical Resources had poured a concrete pad around the sign in an effort to strengthen the marker's support.
The images to the side and below show the marker before concrete pad, with pad, and following its violent removal sometime in the past couple of weeks.
View of sign from the side, showing clearly the direction of removal (west)