Historic 18th Century Cemetery Bosque Bello - Amelia Island

Wandering through ancient oaks and Spanish moss, where history whispers like a Southern Gothic novel, The Bosque Bello Cemetery was founded by the Spanish in 1798.

Cemeteries are like libraries of the past except instead of books there are headstones that give you the cliff notes of this Island’s inhabitants.

It’s a real community mixer here, where the islands earliest European settlers rub shoulders or whatever is left of them with the local legends and unsung heroes.

This is the kind of place where “Here Lies” is an invitation to dig into a story, well not literally.

Among the graves you’ll find the resting places of soldiers from various conflicts, including the Civil War.   History Buffs can pay their respects and ponder the lives of those who shaped this region’s past.

Take for example Mike Salvador, a Sicilian immigrant fisherman that in 1902 first used a power-driven boat, with specially designed nets that revolutionized offshore shrimping. Because of his persistence and innovations, Fernandina became a shrimping capital as the industry boomed with boat builders and the shrimping fleets expanded into hundreds of boats.

Another notable resident here is the local writer,  Alice Youngblood that wrote about a bullfight here in the early 1800s which occurred after a Sunday banquet in a makeshift arena, which was the first bullfight to take place in North America and the first and last in Florida.   A young Spanish man dressed in Matador attire, faced a bull with only a small knife, that ended with a draw and the bull bleeding, but not badly hurt.

This final resting place feels like a haven of peace and beauty.   I mean you don’t see dead people but you almost hear dead people talking to you.

These live oaks are the wise old storytellers of the forest,  they’re twisted limbs reaching out as if to share secrets of the centuries with anyone that takes a leisurely stroll, as the sunlight here performs a delicate dance through the leaves.

The headstones stand as a testament to the fact that even the most unassuming stone can anchor a legacy to local heritage.  Intricate carvings, statues and iron work can be found throughout the grounds showcasing the craftsmanship of different eras.

The setting sun casts a golden hue over the headstones as the rustling leaves whisper a bit more insistently,  a time for reflection telling you to slow down, that you’ll be here soon enough.