Exploring Pensacola Monuments

Our family traveled to Washington, D.C., a few years ago and like most people visiting the nation’s capital, we set our sights on the many famous monuments and memorials the city is known for. It was educational and fun for the whole family, which got me thinking about monuments here in our own backyard.

Although most people visit our area for its beautiful beaches, Pensacola has a rich history dating back to the 16th century, much of which is depicted in statues and memorials around the city. A new idea for a staycation day – or a vacation day for those visiting our city – was born.

Here are a few highlights of the must-see stops to help you explore Pensacola’s trail of monuments. Palafox Street, which runs through the heart of downtown Pensacola, is filled with historical monuments and a good place to begin your tour.

Plaza de Luna, 900 S. Palafox St.

At the south end of Palafox Street is Palafox Pier and Plaza de Luna, a waterfront park overlooking Pensacola Bay. Its centerpiece is a bronze statue of Don Tristán de Luna y Arellano, the Spanish explorer who led the effort to establish America’s first settlement in what is now Pensacola in 1559. Plaques signifying each of the five flags or governments that have reigned over the city throughout its history are also prominent in Plaza de Luna. Another historic marker honors the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sebago. Kids enjoy the plaza’s splash pad, which operates seasonally March-October.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, 50 N. Palafox St.

Erected in 1992, a monument and bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., honors the revolutionary Civil Rights activist in a dedicated plaza that occupies the median of Palafox between Garden Street and Wright Street. A plaque at the base of the bust is inscribed with a quote from King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. It reads, “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” The plaza is frequently the site of peaceful protests for numerous causes, and many people gather here during Pensacola’s annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A popular farmer’s market, Palafox Market, takes place here on Saturday mornings.

Andrew Jackson, Plaza Ferdinand

You can find the Andrew Jackson monument in Plaza Ferdinand in Downtown Pensacola. Plaza Ferdinand marks the center of town life during the colonial era. The Plaza was also the center of town life during the Colonial era. The cession of Florida to the United States from Spain occurred at the Plaza on July 17, 1821. This spot specifically is where Andrew Jackson was sworn in as first Territorial Governor.

Gen. Bernardo de Gálvez Monument, Palafox and Wright St.

Another marker of Pensacola history was completed in 2018 at the intersection of Palafox and Wright Streets. Honoring General Bernardo de Gálvez, the monument pays homage to the man who, on behalf of Spain, a U.S. ally in the American Revolution, delivered Pensacola from British rule in 1781. A bronze statue by Robert Rasmussen and Katherine R. Vincze depicts Galvez atop his horse facing the site of Fort George with his hat raised in victory. Gálvez was made an honorary U.S. citizen in 2014 for risking his life for the freedom of the United States people and providing supplies, intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort.

Fort George Memorial Park, Palafox and LaRua St.

Fort George was a British fort built in 1778 and later captured by Spain during the Siege of Pensacola in 1781. Although the fort is no longer standing, portions of a recreation of the fort at the original site are still visible today at Fort George Memorial Park. It is located within the North Hill Preservation District at the intersection of Palafox and La Rua.

Veterans Memorial Park, 211 E. Main St.

Dedicated to the memory of service men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the United States, Veterans Memorial Park is a multi-acre public space near the Pensacola Bayfront. It is home to Wall South, the first permanent replica of the National Vietnam Wall Memorial, as well as memorials for lives lost in the Revolutionary War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the War on Terror. Other statues and plaques honor courageous individual efforts and local heroes. Special ceremonies are frequently held in the park, and it is a good place to take children or anyone who wants to learn more about honoring the U.S. military.

National Missing Children’s Monument, 499 Bayfront Pkwy.

Across from Veterans Memorial Park, on the south side of Bayfront Parkway, visitors can cross a pedestrian bridge over Hawkshaw Lagoon to observe “The Sanctuary,” a bronze sculpture by artist Sam Nettles. The surrounding park and monument, built in 2002, serve as the National Memorial for Missing Children, while also providing an observation point for the natural beauty and wildlife in and around the lagoon.If you’ve never visited these monuments, you may not have realized how much history is preserved right in front of our eyes here in Pensacola. Which monument will you explore first?

Author

Amy Minchin

Amy Minchin has vacationed in Northwest Florida since she was a young child. Despite a few sunburns and freckles picked up along the way, she’s been proud to call the Pensacola area home for the last seven years. She and her husband enjoy sharing Pensacola’s natural beauty, history and culture with their three daughters. An award-winning writer, Amy left a career in corporate communications and marketing to pursue freelance writing and consulting opportunities. Her writing has been published in the Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Birmingham Magazine, Lakeland Ledger, UAB Magazine and UWF Connection. Amy shares her family’s adventures and helps others discover ways to enjoy all that the Gulf Coast has to offer on Instagram. Follow her at @sandinmyminivan.