Chief Tomokie Monument

[Samurai_Writer]

I found this rather strange monument in this little state park I went camping in last month. Tomoka State Park is near Daytona Beach, FL. It's a rather small park on a peninsula between two rivers. I went to the hiking area, and found this near one of the trails. I don't know how old it is, although the plaque is from 1955. I'm guessing the monument is older than that. What's really strange is that it looks like it is done in some kind of clay or maybe soft cement with steel bars through it to hold its shape, but it's only finished in the front. If you go behind it, the statues are flat on that side and unpainted.

[NashVegas]

1. Interesting

Reminds me of the Musica sculpture in Nashville.

[GOPFighter]

2. Nice

I like the effect you created by moving in closer with each photo.


"Slain by Oleeta in defense of the Golden Cup" I googled it and found the following on Trails.com: "This state park boasts a 40-foot statue depicting Chief Tomokie defending a sacred golden cup. This brightly colored statue is impressive, but Chief Tomokie apparently never existed." Now I'm really curious!

[Samurai_Writer]

3. More about "Chief Tomokie"

The Timucuan village of Nocoroco is recorded by the Spanish as being here at this state park near Ormond Beach. It was inhabited year-round, and the people had plenty of food from the natural sources available. They were giants, and stood at least a foot taller than the Spanish because of their good nutrition. They hunted game, ate shellfish, fished, and even grew crops and put them in a communal storehouse. There is a small museum here, and a monument to commemorate the mythical Chief Tomokie.



Chief Tomokie statue (above) in its former glory. This large statue at Tomoka State Park has long been a local landmark. Unfortunately it has not weathered well throughout the years and probably won't last much longer. It was built out of concrete and local sand, and has developed several large fractures from heat expansion. It will cost at over $300,000.00 to repair. Then in late 2002, some druken tresspasses knocked the heads off two of the statues. The park took them to court to pay restitution, but doubts that they will see a dime from them, when the same group could not pay the fee for camping the night.