Peg Leg Pete deemed unsafe for public interaction

The city is working to erect a fence around the statue

“Peg Leg Pete,” the iconic wooden pirate statue that has greeted visitors near the Fernandina Beach Train Depot at Front and Centre Streets for more than four decades, has been deemed structurally unsound, according to a newly released engineering assessment.

The report, issued September 5 by Gillette & Associates, confirms long-standing concerns about the aging statue’s condition. Gillette’s report makes a clear recommendation: install a protective fence and signage to keep the public at a safe distance — or move the statue to a secured location.

"Due to the current visible damage of the structure, and most-likely hidden damage, it is not recommended that pedestrian interface be allowed. It is our professional opinion that the structure can remain visible to the public but should be protected from public interaction. If the statue is going to remain on public display, we recommend a barrier (i.e. fence) be placed around the structure immediately, along with signage to prevent human interaction," the report states. "If this is not possible, we suggest the statue be moved to a place out of possible physical interaction."

Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and said city staff are reviewing next steps for installation of a fence and signage. He said the city had also received updated estimates for making repairs to the venerable statue.

Originally carved from oak in the late 1970s by a local artist, Peg Leg Pete was never designed to withstand heavy physical interaction — let alone decades of weathering, neglect, and climbing children. The statue has stood for 47 years.

“Visible decay and soft areas were noticed in several places,” wrote Asa R. Gillette, P.E., the structural engineer who inspected the statue. “Based on the visible decay areas, it would be logical that further decay exists below the surface.”

The statue, approximately five feet tall and mounted to a concrete base, shows signs of advanced deterioration. Though it remains anchored, the method of anchoring is unclear. Gillette noted the piece was not built to any established engineering standard, further complicating safety evaluations.

The city requested the assessment following years of increasing wear and growing liability concerns that were discussed at last week's Historic District Council (HDC) meeting. The HDC also debated whether placing a fence around the statue was appropriate.

Several public speakers and at least two HDC members were opposed to putting a fence around Peg Leg Pete.

Those objections have now been made moot with the Gillette report.

"The statue was carved by a local artist in the late 1970’s, with no apparent regards to design in accordance with any local, state or national standards. It was most likely created as just a work of art, without being subject to external loads (i.e. human, wind, flood, etc.). Therefore, allowing human interaction such as children climbing on the statue, is beyond the intent of this work of art, especially at its current age and condition," the report states.

With the Gillette evaluation in hand, Glisson said that decision no longer rests with the HDC but with the city. "We need to get a fence in place quickly," he said.

Public reaction has been swift and emotional. Residents have taken to social media expressing nostalgia and frustration over the statue's deterioration, with some calling for restoration and others pushing for relocation to a protected indoor space like the Fernandina History Museum.

Peg Leg Pete's high visibility has made the figure an unofficial mascot of Fernandina Beach, standing watch over the downtown waterfront for nearly five decades. Though carved as a simple piece of folk art, his presence has been woven into the town’s identity.

“As a preservationist historian, what I'd like to see is ... is there a way to encapsulate it now so it doesn't continue to deteriorate? And then whatever we do with it ... can we have maybe a historical marker that has the history of this ... because it's part of our recent history," HDC member Tammi Kosack said last week.

Whether Peg Leg Pete will remain in place behind a fence, be relocated, or face removal altogether is now in the city’s hands.