Cross on the Beach – Pensacola Beach, Florida
Posted in Pensacola on November 4, 2010
I have lived in Pensacola for 14 years and not once have I taken the time to find out the meaning behind the large 10 foot tall white cross that sits at the top of a sand dune on Pensacola Beach. I have seen it in pictures and during the summer I drive by it at least twice a week. I have always wondered about it but that area is a popular surf spot and there is usually nowhere to park. When we were driving home from our Ft. Pickens camping trip at the early hour of 7am, I hollered at my husband to pull over.
Much to my surprise there was a sign stating that the marker commemorates the first religious service in the Pensacola area. It was originally on the other side of the road, but was moved to its current location. The most facsinating thing about this cross is that it has been standing in this spot through a number of major storms and hurricanes. When Hurricane Ivan blew through, it flattened virtually all of the surrounding sand dunes on the Gulf but this cross continues to stand on this dune with no specific scientific explanation according to Visit Pensacola Beach.
Be sure to stop by Delicious Baby to see where everyone is traveling this week!
I’ve seen that cross before and always thought that might be the reason it was there, but hadn’t stopped to find out. thanks for telling the story.
What an interesting post. Amazing that the cross remained standing through the hurricane.
Wow it’s still there even after hurricanes!
that is amazing, that it stood up to a hurricane!
Good for you for taking the time to figure out the meaning behind this. So often we ignore things in our own backyard without every knowing the reason behind them.
thanks for posting about this. i grew up on pensacola beach, and that cross is just one of the million things that feels like home to me. everytime i passed it, which sometimes felt like a million times a day, i said a little prayer. a tiny charm in my day, like blowing the horn going under the grafitti bridge or waving at the plastic driver of the mcguire’s bus for luck.
This is fascinating! I saw this cross when I visited Pensacola Beach a few years ago and wondered about its significance. Thank you for taking the time to share this tidbit with us.
The Pensacola area has so many wonderful quirks and eccentricities; it’s so sad that it is often overlooked as a spot for a permanent or vacation home. As an American history buff, I have a special affinity for the region’s rich history. People like me- who like American cities rich in history- should consider purchasing a vacation home in Pensacola through Mickey Coastal Property. Mickey owns a number of beautiful single family homes and condominiums at a range of reasonable prices.
Thanks again!
Tim’s gotten used to the call to stop the car and turn around to check out a roadside marker
Very cool that you were able to find out about this local site. I’m in the process of trying to do the same about something in my home town…like you, it’s something I’ve wondered about for a number of years (and oddly enough, we just came back from a trip out to take photos of it so I can use them in a post!
It’s always so great to learn cool things about your own home! It is also empowering when you have a guest who asks you about it and now you can explain exactly what it is…instead of sheepishly saying, you don’t know!
Thanks for the reminder to always be on the look out for understanding our own home…you don’t have to travel far for a new experience!