A statue of Monroe County’s namesake now graces the side of the Overseas Highway by the old Bahia Honda Bridge, after a visit from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Presidents Day.
Addressing Monroe County dignitaries with Secretary of State Cory Byrd and Visit Florida president and CEO Bryan Griffin, DeSantis unveiled the statue of Founding Father James Monroe, the United States’ fifth president from 1817 to 1825. The new installation is the latest in a series of statues announced last year, placed in Florida counties named after the Founding Fathers.
Serving in both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, Monroe held positions including Virginia’s senator and governor, secretary of war under James Madison, and secretary of state, also under Madison.
In addition to aiding in negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase, he was a pivotal figure in the signing of the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1819, in which Spain ceded Florida to the United States.
“His Monroe Doctrine established our country as the guardian of the hemisphere,” said DeSantis, referencing the president’s foreign policy position opposing further European influence and colonization in the Americas. He related the philosophy to the recent capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
“You see some of these elections that are happening, and you’re starting to see the tide shift, but I think it’s clear that we are not going to allow people into the hemisphere,” he said. “It was the right policy then, and remains the right policy now. There’s not many things you can say over 200 years ago were laid down and that we should continue kind of doing the same thing.”
“(Monroe) obviously had a huge impact by making sure that Florida became part of the American republic, and we’re proud to honor him today,” the governor concluded.
“Florida exists because of President James Monroe – the actions he took to negotiate the Adams-Onis Treaty, to acquire the Florida territory, and then under his leadership, ultimately see through to the territory being established on March 30, 1822,” said Griffin, referencing the merging of East and West Florida.
Located on the ocean side at the west end of the bridge, the statue is part of the newly-christened Spottswood Heritage Trail, named in honor of former Monroe County Sheriff and State Senator John M. Spottswood.
“Monroe County is proud to receive a little part of 1776 history in the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln in a press release. “This monument highlights our local heritage and also the role the Florida Keys played in the broader story of our nation as it grew.”
The statue is part of Florida’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, with more events and details throughout the year available at america250fl.com.
Gov. Ron DeSantis preps for the unveiling of a statue of President James Monroe, Monroe County’s namesake. 
Gov. Ron DeSantis describes Florida’s efforts to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. 
Gov. Ron DeSantis poses with the freshly-unveiled statue of James Monroe – one of several placed around the state of Florida in counties named after Founding Fathers. 
Gov. DeSantis compliments the pies from Coast to Coast Pizza Company, a sister restaurant to the Wreck owned by the Maldonado family. 
A trip to the Keys means a sampling of the island chain’s signature dessert, and Best of Marathon-winning Key lime pie from the Wreck is a fine choice for the governor. 
S.S. Wreck chef Billy Roberts, right, and his son Billy Jr. get a photo op with the governor. 
Gov. Ron DeSantis, third from left, poses with the Maldonado family. From left: Omar II, Nicole, DeSantis and Omar Jr.
With the unveiling complete, the governor made his way to Marathon, stopping at Grassy Key’s S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill to film a lunchtime episode of his web series “Diners, Drive-Ins & DeSantis.”
Sampling a full lineup of signature appetizers from owners Omar and Nicole Maldonado’s restaurant, the governor also got a taste of the pies from sister restaurant Coast to Coast Pizza in Marathon, before capping the afternoon with a sweet taste of the restaurant’s award-winning Key lime pie.
Scoring the Wreck’s ahi tuna nachos a “10 out of 10,” DeSantis also heaped praise on the signature dessert made in the islands where it got its name.
“If I was in a restaurant in New York City and got this, it’s not the same,” he said. “There’s something about how it’s done down here that just makes it better. And this has a really, really good crust.”
According to social media photos posted to the governor’s account later that day, DeSantis’ staffers even stopped for some classic Dion’s Chicken on their way out of the island chain.
Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
