A Tolomato Cemetery Tour Featuring Patriots

Located on the site of an early 18th-century Franciscan Indian mission to the native Guale people, this Catholic cemetery dates back to St. Augustine's early history. Public access to the Tolomato Cemetery is limited to the third Saturday of each month when free guided tours are given from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It's possible to take a self-guided tour at that time, too.

The Tolomato Cemetery was the final resting place for people from a wide variety of cultures—Spanish, Cuban, Greek, Menorcan, African, Irish, and Haitian, just to name a few. It was closed to burials in 1884.

The Tolomato Cemetery served as the parish cemetery for what is now the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine for more than 100 years. Though some 1,000 St. Augustinians are buried in the cemetery, there are only about 100 grave markers. What is known about who is buried there comes from the parish death records. The Cathedral parish and the Diocese of St. Augustine still own, maintain, and protect the cemetery.

In honor of the USA's 250th celebration, this tour discusses the three patriots buried there: John McQueen (Don Juan McQueen), Juan Francisco Ruiz Del Canto, and Francisco Xavier Sanchez. All three of these men were honored for their role in the American Revolution, despite living in a British colony teeming with loyalists. 

Admission: Free, and donations are encouraged.

When: Free guided and self-guided tours from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The last guided tour begins at 1:30 p.m. 

Where: Tolomato Cemetery, 14 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

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