The Legendary Big Green Knight: Destin’s Iconic Guardian and a Piece of Local History

If you lived in or visited Destin between the late 1960s and early 1990s, you almost certainly remember the Big Green Knight. That towering, vibrant green armored figure stood proudly at the corner of Main Street and U.S. Highway 98 like a watchful sentinel over our growing coastal town. For decades, he wasn’t just a statue, he was a landmark, a meeting point, a photo backdrop, and a symbol of old Destin’s charm.

The Birth of a Local Icon (1967)

The Big Green Knight was commissioned in the late 1960s as part of the Green Knight restaurant and lounge. Coleman Lee Kelly, a pioneering Destin businessman and part of one of the town’s founding families, played a key role in bringing the knight to life. According to local history and accounts from his son Bernarr Kelly, Coleman had the impressive fiberglass statue built by a company in Montgomery, Alabama. Standing an estimated 20 to 25 feet tall, the knight was no small undertaking, especially in an era when U.S. 98 was still a two-lane road and moving large pieces required careful nighttime transport to avoid traffic issues. The Green Knight restaurant quickly became a beloved spot for steaks, live music, dancing, and good times. The statue out front turned the location into a true destination. Locals gave directions by it (“Turn left at the Green Knight”), kids and teens created their own traditions around it, and it watched over Destin as the town evolved from a quiet fishing village into the Emerald Coast treasure we know today.

Why the Big Green Knight Mattered So Much

For over 25 years (1967–1993), the knight stood as more than decoration, he represented community, growth, and the spirit of Destin. In a time before GPS and smartphones, this emerald giant helped define the landscape. He became woven into local lore, appearing in countless family photos, stories, and memories. The Kelly family’s deep roots made the knight even more special. Coleman and his wife Mattie May Kelly were instrumental in Destin’s early development through business, land stewardship, and philanthropy. Their son Bernarr “Bernie B” Kelly carried that legacy forward as a captain and local entrepreneur with a big heart for the area. When the original property was sold for redevelopment in 1993, the knight faced an uncertain future. Bernarr stepped in, he purchased the liquor license and the statue itself, with plans to relocate it to Bernie B’s Green Knight Inn on Okaloosa Island. While the move sparked some local debate (Destin folks didn’t want to lose their landmark!), it showed Bernarr’s commitment to preserving a piece of history. Unfortunately, the statue’s steel frame had rusted over time, and during transport it sustained damage (reports mention the head and back breaking). The knight’s physical presence faded, but his memory remains strong. A Lasting Legacy in Destin’s Story The Big Green Knight is a beautiful reminder of Destin’s journey, from humble fishing roots (thanks to Captain Leonard Destin) through mid-century growth and into the vibrant tourist destination it is today. The Kelly family’s contributions, including the knight, helped shape the community spirit that still thrives here. Today, when I drive through Destin or work on projects like Bernie B’s Bounty (our interactive scavenger hunt app celebrating local history), I think about icons like the Green Knight. They remind us to honor the past while building new adventures. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and other family legacies continue that tradition of giving back. If you have memories of the Big Green Knight,whether dancing at the restaurant, using it for directions, or snapping photos with the big guy, I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment or message me on Facebook (@Seashelle39). Let’s keep these stories alive. Have you seen any old photos of the knight? Share them! And if you’re visiting Destin, take a moment to appreciate the landmarks that made this place special. The emerald waters may be our biggest draw, but it’s the people and stories that make it home.