The Stories Behind the Statue of Paul Kroegel in Riverview Park - by Sally Maio, former City Clerk

For those of you relatively new to our fair City, it's likely that you have seen the statue in Riverview Park that depicts early settler and hometown hero Paul Kroegel (1864-1948) facing southeast over the Indian River Lagoon, and maybe know of the story of how he and others fought to protect the brown pelicans that nested and breeded just offshore of the Kroegel homestead alongside the lagoon.

Mr. Kroegel came to the Sebastian area in 1881 with his father Gottlieb and brother Arthur from Germany via New York City and homesteaded on land near Barker's Bluff, an Ais Indian midden, made mostly from discarded shells which in 1908 would be sold to St. Lucie County (of which Sebastian was part) to be used to pave roads.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s ladies' hats with bird feathers had become a fashion statement of the day and the price of bird feathers made it a lucrative business for hunters. Many species of birds were decimated in those days. Paul Kroegel made it one of his life's works to protect the pelicans on and around Pelican Island as we know it today. The American Ornithologists Union and the Florida Audubon Society were instrumental in efforts to protect the birds as well.

On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt, driven by the efforts of Paul Kroegel and others, signed an executive order establishing Pelican Island as the first federal bird refuge and Paul Kroegel the first named refuge manager.

In 1992 the City Council adopted Resolution R-92-21 supporting application by the Indian River Land Trust to the State of Florida Conservation and Recreation Lands Committee requesting purchase of properties bordering the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1993 City Council adopted Resolution R-93-08 designating the City of Sebastian as "Home of Pelican Island" and directed that a copy be sent to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In that same year, the Pelican Island Preservation Society appeared before City Council and received approval to use Riverview Park for the 90th Anniversary of the dedication of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. They would go on to hold annual celebrations there throughout the remainder of the 90s.

On June 11, 1997 City Council approved Resolution R-97-35 approving placement of a statue of Paul Kroegel in Riverview Park East by the Indian River County Historical Society a􀀚 designed by local artist Rosalie Hume. Credit for placement of the statue first and foremost goes to its designer Rosalie Hume.

Other local groups credited with the statue's placement in Riverview Park were Sebastian Area Histor􀀃cal Society, the Pelican Island Audubon Society and Preservation Society, the Indian River Historical Society, Indian River County Tourist Development Council and private donors. Local concrete contractor C.J. Bailey created the base for the statue and the Sebastian Junior Women's Club has lovingly overseen the care and cleaning of the statue since it was installed.

I met with Mrs. Hume at her home in Micco in the late 90s to learn more about the design of the statue. She was a very pleasant, quiet and talented woman who had been a lifetime resident of the area, active in the community, and a member of the Sebastian River Art Club for many years, as was her husband James Hume.

Mrs. Hume told me she had crafted a small bronze sculpture of Paul Kroegel to increase awareness of his commitment to preserving Pelican Island, noting she had known him when she was a child and that she was impressed with his dedication. She said in sculpting him she relied on her memory and a photograph she had seen of him standing holding a pipe to his mouth. She told me she used her son-in­law as the model for the statue since his build was much like Mr. Kroegel's. The statue that stands in Riverview Park is three times the size of the original bronze.

An original bronze sculpture replica was displayed during the holiday season in the White House East Wing on a tree entitled "Save America's Treasures" along with other large ornaments that had been designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to raise awareness of sites important in American History. Mrs. Hume was invited to attend the presentation of the tree at the White House but graciously declined.

It is people like Rosalee Hume and Paul Kroegel who add to the richness of our world, and by their contribution, we all benefit. Our thanks to them for putting us in touch with our past.

In 2000 Paul Kroegel was honored by having his name placed on the Great Floridians 2000 list by the Florida Department of State and Florida League of Cities.

In 2001, Sebastian Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Perez (Mitchell) presented planning logistics for a Pelican Island Centennial Celebration on March 14, 15 & 16, 2003 in Riverview Park and Council endorsed the event. In 2003 Mayor Barnes read a Proclamation commemorating the Centennial of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and presented it to Ms. Mitchell.

The 2003 Centennial Festival would bring in representatives of US Fish and Wildlife from throughout the US., as well as Gale Norton, Director of the US Department of the Interior, animal expert Jack Hanna who acted as host during opening ceremonies, educational displays and food and other festivities with musical entertainment by national recording artist and local musicians Ario Guthrie and Pete Harris. It was a fabulous event. Mayor Barnes presented certificates to representatives of groups who participated in the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge Centennial celebration as follows: US Fish and Wildlife, Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, Annie Guthrie for her father Ario, City of Sebastian Public Works Employees, City of Sebastian Police Department officers and employees, and Indian River County bus drivers.

On April 9, 2003 the City Manager presented a framed display from the United States Post Office to the City with the official Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge 100th Anniversary stamp, and in 2004 a large banner was presented and it is displayed in the City Council Chambers.

Paul Kroegel stands there today at the edge of the lagoon, quietly watching over his pelicans and reminding us of the importance of preservation of nature and just how far one man's passion can reach.