A garden of roses and bones once turned a North Florida yard into a destination. We follow the trail of Aunt Aggie, a Black and Creek healer, poet, and fortune teller whose Lake City “bone garden” drew travelers, couples, and curiosity-seekers from across the country in the early 1900s. What began as a story for Black History Month becomes a vivid journey through local memory, segregation-era resilience, and the strange beauty of a landmark that was equal parts eerie and welcoming.

We dig into the geography—how Alligator became Lake City, why White Springs’ sulfur baths fueled regional tourism, and where the garden likely stood near today’s Richardson community and Annie Maddox Park. Along the way, we weigh lore against sources: animal bones woven into arches, rumors of human remains in the small store Aggie ran with her husband Jinx, and the postcards and photographs that prove how far her reputation spread. More than a spectacle, Aggie’s space doubled as a storefront, a healing practice, and a cultural beacon, where produce, potions, fortunes, and flowers met good manners and an unmistakable presence.

This story is also a guide to remembrance. We talk about the “Maddox Rose,” the power of naming, and a simple ritual—lay a red rose and say “Yes, ma’am, thank you, ma’am”—to honor a woman who shaped community identity. If you’re ready to rethink Florida history through local Black heritage, Indigenous roots, folklore, and place-based archives, press play and take the walk with us. When you’re done, share this with a friend, leave a review, and tell us: would you visit the bone garden at night?

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