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| Unveiling of Confederate Monument in at corner of Ocala County courthouse grounds. (Courtesy Florida State Archives, Florida Memory Project, rc03941, www.floridamemory.com) |
The monument stood at the courthouse, despite changes to the building, for over a century. Until recently the statue had been located in a corner of the building relegating the memorial to an afterthought rather than the tribute it was designed to be. When plans were made to build a new courthouse annex ideas were put forth as to what to do with "Johnny Reb" as the statue is affectionately called by some. Ideas included leaving the statue where it was, moving it to the entrance of the county historical museum, or moving the statue approximately two miles to a location at Veterans Memorial Park. While cost played a role in the final outcome, the decision was made to move the statue to a location in Veterans Memorial Park. With a public/private joint venture the funds were raised and the statue now sits in a prominent location at the park. A rededication ceremony took place on April 16, 2011 featuring Civil War reenactors and authentic weaponry from the war. You may read a local news article on the ceremony here.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing this monument while I was in Ocala to attend a wedding. Unfortunately it was a cloudy and rainy day when we got to the park so my personal photos are only OK at best. The gray clouds and rain spot or two on the lens didn't really make them usable here. I have managed to find better quality photos that you will see below. Thanks go out to the Florida Public Archaeology Network for the photos and some of the information used in this post.
Veterans Memorial Park is located at the corner of East Fort King Street and SE 25th St.
GPS Coordinates: N 29 11.186 W 082 06.157 elevation approximately 113 feet
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| Sign in Veterans Memorial Park, the new location of the Confederate monument. (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| View of the monument and its new setting and landscaping in Veterans Memorial Park. Photo was taken facing towards the southeast. (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| The front or northwest face of the monument is the most elaborate: 1861-1865 THE SOUTH REVERES HER WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, MADISON, MONROE, ANDREW JACKSON, AND OTHERS, WHO LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR GRAND REPUBLIC. SHE HONORS HER LEE, STONEWALL JACKSON, STUART, JOHNSON, FOREST, AND EVERY BRAVE SON WHO FOUGHT TO PRESERVE OUR LIBERTIES, GUARANTEED BY THE FATHERS, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. CONFEDERATE ERECTED A.D. 1908 BY DICKISON CHAPTER NO. 56, U.D.C. IN HONOR OF THE HEROES OF THE CONFEDERACY (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| On April 16, 2011 the monument was rededicated atits new permanent location in Ocala's Veteran's Park. (Photo by Doug Engle, Ocala Star-Banner, April 16, 2011) |
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| View of the soldier statue, feature a wide brimmed hat, blanket roll across his shoulder, Enfield bayonet in sheath, and standing at rest with musket on the ground in front. (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| The southeast face of the monument features crossed flags above which is "1861 - 1865." (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| View of the rear of the soldier statue, clearly showing the Enfield bayonet in scabbard, canteen, and blanket roll held together by a wide band. (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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| The southwest face of the monument features a bas relief of a partially furled Confederate battle flag, with "CSA" above, and the following below the flag: IT'S FAME ON BRIGHTEST PAGES, PENNED BY POETS AND BY SAGES, SHALL GO SOUNDING DOWN THE AGES. (Photo by William Lees, FPAN, May 2011) |
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