DeSantis Unveils Christopher Columbus Statue in Naples

The governor held an unveiling ceremony at the local Knights of Columbus Council after a weather-related delay.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Civic

A bronze statue of an explorer on a marble plinth in a sunny Florida courtyard surrounded by tropical plants. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new Christopher Columbus statue in Naples on Thursday following delays caused by Hurricane Isaias. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially unveiled a statue of Christopher Columbus in Naples on Thursday. The event took place at the Knights of Columbus Council #4357 following a brief postponement caused by Hurricane Isaias.

Why it matters

The ceremony serves as a commemorative effort marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. It highlights ongoing efforts to recognize historical figures through public monuments across the state.

The ceremony took place at the Knights of Columbus Council #4357 in Naples. This event commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

The players

Ron DeSantis

He is the Governor of Florida who hosted the press conference and unveiling ceremony.

Bryan Griffin

He is a public figure who was in attendance at the statue unveiling ceremony in Naples.

Michele Mistò

He attended the ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Council to represent the Italian connection to the historical figure.

Knights of Columbus Council #4357

This is a local fraternal organization in Naples that served as the host venue for the statue's debut.

The details

Governor Ron DeSantis led the news conference to debut the statue, which was attended by Bryan Griffin and Michele Mistò. The unveiling was originally planned to occur on Monday to coincide with Columbus Day but was pushed to Thursday afternoon due to the impact of Hurricane Isaias.

Monday: Original date scheduled for the statue unveiling.
Thursday afternoon: Date the statue was actually unveiled.

Industry Dynamics

The unveiling reflects a broader trend of installing monuments dedicated to historical figures ahead of major national milestones. This statue specifically aligns with preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, positioning local civic groups as central players in state-level commemorations.

The statue is now located at the Knights of Columbus Council #4357 for public or organizational viewing. Residents interested in viewing the monument should consult the local council for specific accessibility or visiting hours.

The takeaway

Communities often utilize anniversaries as focal points for public art installations that honor specific historical narratives. Observers of such events should check with local venues for any potential schedule changes due to inclement weather before attending future ceremonies.