Trout Creek Fish Camp could be new home for St. Augustine’s confederate memorial

St. Augustine, Fla. — St. Augustine is one step closer to relocating the confederate memorial in its downtown.

It’s been a topic of heated debate on both sides for years.

“Now they want to take this out and destroy our heritage and it’s not right,” said Gary Johnson.

“I understand both sides however I know that it’s time for a change,” said Glo Smith.

Action News Jax showed you back in June how the St. Augustine City Commission voted to remove and relocate the confederate memorial.

Next Monday, Aug. 10, the city manager will propose that its new home be at the Trout Creek Fish Camp located about 19 miles away from downtown.

St. Augustine Communications Manager Melissa Wissel said the owner, Randy Ringhaver, offered to build a park setting, with lighting, sidewalks and seating at his own expense.

“It is previously known as Pacetti Fish Camp so there is a descendent relationship there with the descendants that are named on the memorial,” said Wissel.

Ringhaver’s proposal would save the city $32,000.

Other proposals came from The Military Museum of North Florida in Clay County, the Ladies Memorial Association of St. Augustine, and a private land in western St. Johns County but these options had access or feasibility issues.

Wissel said work to remove the memorial will start soon.

If no decision is made Monday at the commission meeting, then the city will store the confederate memorial at the city’s public works compound. It’ll cost the city 200-thousand dollars to relocate it.

Cox Media Group