Full Breakdown
Tallahassee City Commission Approves Sale of Golf Course on Former Slave Burial Grounds
12/12/2025, 2:51:29 AM
Controversial Sale Decision
On December 10, 2025, the Tallahassee City Commission voted 3-2 to sell the 178-acre Capital City Country Club, which includes unmarked graves of enslaved people, to the country club for $1.255 million. This decision has reignited discussions about the city's history of segregation and the treatment of its Black community. The golf course, located less than a mile from the Florida Capitol, has been leased by the country club since the 1950s, originally as a whites-only facility.
Historical Context and Burial Grounds
Archaeological investigations by the National Park Service in 2019 identified 23 unmarked graves and 14 possible graves near the golf course's 7th hole, highlighting the site’s connection to the Houstoun Plantation. Despite the historical significance, the city has faced criticism for its slow progress in establishing a memorial for the burial grounds, which was first proposed over four years ago. Local activists, including Florida A&M University student Justin Jordan, have expressed strong opposition to the sale, citing the lack of respect for the ancestors buried there.
Terms of the Sale
The sale agreement stipulates that approximately $98,000 of the proceeds will fund the construction of a commemorative site for the graves, ensuring public access while restricting interference with golf activities. Additionally, the country club has committed to hosting Florida A&M University's golf team for practices and competitions. However, skepticism remains among residents regarding the sale to a historically exclusive club, with concerns about the low sale price given the land's potential value.
Official Statements and Responses
Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who opposed the sale, raised concerns about the club's connections to influential figures, including Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, suggesting that the deal could lead to privatization akin to "Mar-a-Lago 2." In contrast, Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox defended the decision, emphasizing the need to move beyond the city’s past and reinvest in public services.
Criticism and Opposition
The sale has drawn significant backlash from community members and activists who argue that it reflects ongoing institutional racism. Delaitre Hollinger, president of the National Association for the Preservation of African American History and Culture, criticized the city for its handling of the cemetery memorial and the sale itself. Critics have also highlighted the lack of transparency and community engagement in the decision-making process.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While the majority of public speakers opposed the sale, a few supported it, including representatives from Florida A&M University and the country club. Some residents, like Lee de la Fuente, argued that the land should not be sold at such a low price, suggesting that the city could leave a more positive legacy by preserving the property.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Like so many other Black people in United States, I’m a descendant of slaves. I don’t have the ability to visit the graves of my ancestors. I don’t have the luxury to even know most of their names. I don’t know their history. And that’s why I’m so strong in opposing the sale,” — Justin Jordan, Student, Florida A&M University
- “Are we going down the path of a golf course that’s a Mar-a-Lago 2 in Leon County? I’m not even joking,” — Jeremy Matlow, Tallahassee City Commissioner
- “When we talk about considering the racist, segregationist history of this country club, OK, get in line with all the other things we’ve had to overcome to be able to move forward,” — Dianne Williams-Cox, Tallahassee City Commissioner
The decision to sell the Capital City Country Club has sparked a complex dialogue about race, history, and community values in Tallahassee, reflecting broader societal issues surrounding the legacy of slavery and segregation in the United States.
