Iconic Pensacola Beach sailfish sign back in operation

Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal
·2 min read
The iconic sailfish sign lights the way to Pensacola Beach on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Plastic Arts Sign Company of Pensacola built the newest version of the sign to replace the last marquee after it received extensive damage during hurricane Sally.
The iconic sailfish sign lights the way to Pensacola Beach on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Plastic Arts Sign Company of Pensacola built the newest version of the sign to replace the last marquee after it received extensive damage during hurricane Sally.

The iconic Pensacola Beach sailfish sign is once again directing beachgoers where to turn for the beach with all of the pizazz of the original from the 1960s.

Escambia County announced Thursday that the installation of the new sign was complete, and the sign is fully operational.

The new sign is the fourth sign since the original was installed. In 2019, a new sign was put up that used LED lights for the first time. The new sign's lights never quite worked right, and then the sign was damaged in 2020 during Hurricane Sally.

The 2019 sign didn't have the correct paint to protect the metal from the salt air and was badly corroded, Commissioner Robert Bender, whose district includes Pensacola Beach, told the News Journal in December.

The new sign built by local business Plastic Arts Sign Company has better anti-corrosive paint and other improvements that officials hope will stand up to the elements.

Bender said he was pleased with the new sign in a county press release announcing the sign's completion.

"It has been a long process to replace the sign, but the finished product is worth it," Bender said. "John Shipman from Plastic Arts Sign understands the importance of this sign to the community. The quality displayed shows the pride he took with the project."

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Shipman said in the press release he viewed the sign as a legacy project.

"I was born in Escambia County, grew up here, and started my business here," Shipman said. "I understand the importance of the sign for our community and was honored to work on this project with Commissioner Bender, (Facilities Director) Mr. (Rob) Hogan and county staff."

The signs and lights will be on day and night for the next few days before it begins the normal schedule of turning on at night.

The county is also working with the city of Gulf Breeze to install a perch to allow an osprey to nest during the upcoming nesting season.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Beach sailfish sign back in operation