The Twin Lakes community is located along Church Road in Hernando County, just north of the Pasco County line. It was established in 1871. The area’s church, Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, has been serving the area since the early years of Twin Lakes.
In February, Hernando County installed six signs designating the area throughout the community, including one specifically recognizing Twin Lakes Cemetery. The cemetery was established in 1882.
An excerpt from an 1885 publication stated that Twin Lakes “has a good school, churches, etc. The people are profitably engaged in fruit and stock raising. The prominent orange-growers are: Messrs. W. R. Nicks, Joshua Mizell, W. H. Hancock, M. D. Eiland, John O’Neil, and John St. Clair. Land is worth from $10 to $75 per acre.”
Mr. Robert Taylor Jr. spoke to the group of community members gathered for the unveiling of the sign marking the location of Twin Lake Cemetery. Taylor is a Trustee of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and the husband of the church’s pastor Naika Taylor.
Mr. Taylor remarked that with the recent destruction of black cemeteries in Hillsborough County, “I think the county has taken a very important step here today to help us retain what we know to be Twin Lake.”
County Commissioner Jerry Campbell, who represents Twin Lakes, stated that the project not only honors the legacy of so many that have gone before but the traditions that continue. Commission Chairman John Allocco thanked the community for bringing this project to the county’s attention. He said, “This is what happens when the community and the county work together.”
“Thank you for allowing us to help immortalize the history of Twin Lake.”
Robert Harris, Deacon of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, remarked, “This is a celebration that all of us can enjoy, and it’s very heart-touching to all of us in Twin Lake.”
A group photo of community members, county dignitaries, and staff was taken in front of the new cemetery sign.
Hazel Paulding recalled when she first spotted one of the signs, “I was driving down Spring Lake Highway the other day, looked up and said, ‘When did they put that sign there? Who did that!?’”
She said, “It’s so awesome to be able to have the county come together and especially during the month of black history.” She also commended the city of Brooksville (and Brooksville Main Street) for displaying banners of local black dignitaries and humanitarians downtown. Those recognized include Paul Douglas, Sarah Davis, Howard DeLaine, Lorenzo Hamilton, Fielder Harris, Hazel Land, Maulty Moore, Mable Sims, Lizzie Carr Washington, Annie Williams, Jerome Brown, and Luther Cason.
Imani Asukile, Deacon of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, remarked, “It’s a good thing to pay homage. The cemetery is the final resting place for some of the early settlers, military veterans, and school teachers. I think it’s complimentary that the community and the county have come together to make sure that they rest in dignity.”
