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The 10-foot, cast concrete memorial was established as part of the [[1959]] [[Quadricentennial Celebration]]<ref>See [[Talk:Island Cross|talk page]].</ref> by the [[Knights of Columbus, De Luna Assembly]]. About 100 people attended the dedication by [[Mobile]] Bishop [[Thomas J. Toolen]], but only a handful remained after a rainstorm sent most back to their vehicles. It was originally located on the north ([[Santa Rosa Sound|Sound]]) side of [[Fort Pickens Road]], but was later relocated to a sand dune on the south ([[Gulf of Mexico|Gulf]]) side.
In the 1960s, the cross became a meeting place for visitors to the beach. "That cross was there when I was in high school," recalled [[SRIA]] director [[Buck Lee|W. A. "Buck" Lee]]. "When someone was saying, 'Let's meet at the beach,' we would say, 'See you at the cross.'"<ref>"Leaders will rededicate sign for cross at Pensacola Beach." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 14, 2006.</ref>
The cross and the dune on which it sits have withstood numerous [[hurricanes]] over the years, even as neighboring dunes and structures were swept away. This is cited by many religious residents as evidence of "divine protection."<ref>http://www.visitpensacola.com/beach2.html</ref> The commemorative marker, however, was did not survive [[Hurricane Ivan]] in [[2004]]. It was replaced by the Knights of Columbus and rededicated on [[August 15]], [[2006]].<ref>"Pensacola Beach icon rededicated, admired." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 16, 2006.</ref>