PONCE DE LEON STATUE

CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

CONDITION & RECOMMENDATIONS


PREPARED BY HISTORIC PROPERTY ASSOCIATES








GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The bronze statue of Ponce de Leon is set

atop a gray granite column decoratedd with moldings and carvings.

It is secured to the granite column with a brass stud and nut

projecting through the base. The base of the statue is marked

"GORHAM CO FOUNDRY". The column is surrounded by three exposed-

aggregate (sharp quartz sard ?) concrete steps which may have

been pre-cast. The steps are,in turn, surrounded by a poured-in-

place sidewalk and curbing of the same material.

The column bears the following inscriptions:

Presented to 7he City of St. Augustine

by Andrew Anderson, M.D. 1923



CONDITION:

STATUE Appears to be stable. There is a considerable amount of

black mold or mildew on the surface. A green patina is also

evident as a result of exposure to a salt-air environment.

COLUMN A portion of the base on the northeast corner has broken

away. The other three corners of the base exhibit stress cracks

which may ultimately lead to portions popping off.

1









CONDITION: cont.

The column is plumb and appears to be in good to excellent

condition with the exception of the stress cracks on the corners.



STEPS There is evidence of differential settlement,

particularly on the northwest side.

There are numerous cracks across the width of the steps,

apparently caused by unequal loading.

These conditions do not constitute a hazard to pedestrians

at this time.

SIDEWALK AND CURB They are in generally good condition. There

is some evidence of settlement but, with the exception of one

area near the southeast corner of the steps, it does not

constitute a hazard to pedestrians.



PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS:



1. Remove the statue from its base.

Relocate to appropriate work site.

Remove mold, mildew, and patina.

Provide reinforcing in base with similar material.

Polish and apply three coats of wax.

Reinstall on base.

2. Measure the separation in the steps caused by the

differential settlement. Obtain accurate elevations on the steps

and column. Monitor these conditions on a semi-annual basis to









PRORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS cont.

determine if the process is continuing. It may be that the

settlement has proceeded as far as it is going to go. If no

change is noted over a period of several years, it can be assumed

that the base is now stable and it will only be necessary to

reposition and grout the steps. If, on the other hand,

significant movement is detected, it may be necessary to remove

the statue, disassemble the column, and install a new base.

Monitor stress cracks. If no further movement is detected over a

period of several years, assume condition is stable, and use

epoxy injection techniques to consolidate.

3. Grind down the raised portion of the sidewalk at the

southeast corner of the steps to reduce the potential of someone

tripping.

4. Annual Clean statue and base. Wash with non-ionic

detergent and flush with copious amounts of potable water. Rewax

statue. Perform condition inspection.

5. Replace the missing portion of the base on the northeast

corner. Match replacement with existing as to color and texture.

6. Conduct historic research in an attempt to locate the

original plans and specifications or other information which

could be used in preservation activities associated with this

site. For instance,it would be useful to know if the statue is,

in fact, located in the area of the old boat basin. This would

account for the differential settlement and would be helpful in

the future if it becomes necessary to design and install another










PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS count.

base to support it. A specification which identifies the concrete

aggregate would save considerable time and expense if it is

necessary to repair/replace any of the steps/walks in the future.



NOTE: ALL WORK SHOULD BE FULLY DOCUMENTED THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS,

LOG BOOKS, AND A FINAL REPORT.



ESTIMATED COSTS BY RECOMMENDATION:

1. Remove/replace & clean .................. 3070.00

2. Monitor settlement ......................1060.00

3. Grind down projection in sidewalk........ 390.00

4. Annual inspection, wash & wax ........... 910.00

5. Replace missing corner on base........... 1410.00

6. Conduct historic research............... 440.00

TOTAL 7280.00