Plans to install an iconic piece of Pensacola Beach history as an art piece are moving forward after they were postponed earlier in the month.
Dustin and Mandy Vaughn, owners of The Local, are in the process of placing a sailfish from an old Pensacola Beach welcome sign outside their store at 1591 Via de Luna Drive using a strip of land owned by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.
“We’re excited to move forward… once the sign (comes) up, we look forward to having visitors come take pictures and enjoying the sun with us,” Dustin told the News Journal. “We invite everybody out to The Local to take pictures and enjoy it.”
Originally designed by Pensacola commercial artist Patricia “Pat” Born, the original Pensacola Beach welcome sign has become a staple of the area since it was erected in the early 1960s. It was replaced multiple times through the years. The Vaughns purchased the sailfish that sat atop the old Pensacola Beach sign since it was replaced following Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Before the sailfish can once again go up on Pensacola Beach, the Vaughns need to secure permits, as well as freshen up the sailfish a bit because it was slightly damaged during previous storms. “We’re still going to keep it the vintage way it looks,” said Dustin.
Dustin added that they’re aiming to have the art piece up before Spring Break.
The Vaughns want to install the sailfish as an art piece to create a new tourist spot that will attract visitors for photoshoots.
Their proposal was postponed during the SRIA’s Committee Meeting two weeks prior as board members sought a better understanding of the installation and future maintenance plans.
The Vaughns were asked to return with more details and they submitted over 30 pages of plans, including conceptual drawings illustrating how the sign will look once it’s installed.
The SRIA Board unanimously approved the Vaughns’ proposal Aug. 27.
“Now that I see it, I like the idea and I think it looks pretty nice,” said District 1 Representative Bruce Childers before the motion to pass the proposal.
What will the Pensacola Beach sailfish sign look like?
The Pensacola Beach sailfish art piece will stand next to The Local at 1591 Via De Luna Drive. The Vaughns also plan to install dimmable lighting in the sign to avoid disrupting nearby residents and wildlife.
Who will maintain the Pensacola Beach sailfish sign?
The Vaughns will assume full responsibility for the care, upkeep and liability of the sailfish art piece once it’s installed.
They also plan to keep the sign clean, maintain the surrounding area and make any necessary repairs in the event of damage.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Iconic Pensacola Beach sailfish sign plans approved, debut aimed by Spring Break 2026
Reporting by Edward Bunch III, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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