FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Community members and crews with the City of Fernandina Beach woke up very early on Thursday to remove the beloved Peg Leg Pete statue, which was recently deemed unsafe for public interaction.
Around 5:30 a.m., three community members with the Fernandina Pirates Club arrived with chisels and hammers to begin the removal of the Peg Leg Pete, and just before 6 a.m., city crews arrived to complete the work and transport the iconic statue to the Amelia Island Museum of History.
In early September, an engineering inspection of the beloved Peg Leg Pete statue in Fernandina Beach found the aging “Fernandina Pirate” unsafe for public interaction.
Peg Leg Pete had been standing in front of the Amelia Island Welcome Center since 1978, but recent conversations have called for the statue’s replacement following its rapid deterioration.
Engineers recently conducted a thorough structural inspection, checking the statue’s foundation, structure, and surrounding area for stability and safety.
The assessment identified signs of weathering, minor cracks, and some instability at the base. There were no immediate hazards, but concerns about long-term durability.
Experts recommended installing a temporary barrier and clear signage to keep visitors at a safe distance while repairs are considered.
Options include repairing the statue to restore stability or, if repairs aren’t feasible, safely removing it to protect the public.
In August, the city’s Historic District Council (HDC) met to discuss a proposal that would send the aging statue to the Amelia Island Museum of History and replace it with a new one.
However, just hours before the meeting began, City Attorney Teresa Prince said she was approached by a “credible source” who said, “There are cremains that have been interred in Peg Leg Pete.”
Prince recommended the discussion be deferred so the city can investigate the claims and research proper removal.
Councilmembers said the city did not know the remains were there and that they were placed without permission.
Two years ago, Pirates Club commissioned a local student, Jett Paxton, to carve a new statue and to be painted by artist Julie Delfs.
“A lot of people worry that it’s not a hometown feel, but I feel like it’s the perfect hometown story. I’m a local boy. We got local high school students to paint the carving. We got local artists to design the sword. The Pirates Club, a local pirates club, who’s been here for 50 years, has helped put together the base,” Paxton said.
Peg Leg Pete now rests outside the Amelia Island Museum of History.
It’s unclear what will happen to the beloved statue and what will replace it, but News4JAX is working on gathering more details.