St. Johns County

Top portion of Confederate monument in St. Augustine taken down

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The obelisk, or top portion of the Confederate monument in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion, was taken down Tuesday.

City native Megan Arnold said it’s a sight to see the memorial come down.

“I was shocked. I mean, it has been a topic of discussion, locally for awhile,” Arnold said.

Action News Jax reported when city commissioners’ decision to relocate the memorial to Trout Creek Fish Camp sparked protests.

Wednesday, Action News Jax crews ran into more of those who are opposed to the decision.

Jeremy Patterson with the Progressive Construction said “It’ just a disgrace that we’re getting heckled,” Jeremy Patterson with the Progressive Construction said.

According to Patterson, the man in charge of the move, it makes the process more difficult.

Story continues below:

He said they’ve already run into a challenge – two granite slabs at the base of the monument.

“It’s going to make us load 18 inches higher than we originally planned,” Patterson said. “You wouldn’t think 18 inches is a big difference, but it puts us into the utility poles where the street lights are coming across the lines. The only option is to raise them all.”

Arnold is astounded by the progress. “It’s impressive, I thought it would take a lot longer,” she said.

A city spokesperson told Action News Jax no part of the monument will be moved to the new location this week.