The Hidden History of Cape Coral’s Iwo Jima Statue

Many believe Cape Coral’s Iwo Jima statue is just a replica—but it’s actually one of the originals created by renowned sculptor Felix de Weldon. Commissioned in 1964 by the Rosen brothers, this 20-foot monument was once the centerpiece of The Rose Garden, Cape Coral’s first tourist attraction. Abandoned after the park’s closure in 1970, it fell into disrepair until a local sculptor helped restore it in 1980. Today, it stands as a powerful tribute to the bravery of those who fought for freedom.