The E.S. Rugeley Confederate Monument displayed publicly and located at the Matagorda County Courthouse in Bay City, Texas highlights a sensitive time in African American History for residents of Bay City, Texas. The impact has an adverse effect on the African American community. The visual impact and atmospheric elements omit certain significant information regarding African American culture and history compromising its true value. To this end, the monument is oppressive and underserving to a unique group of citizens and residents. The monument should not be preserved publicly for display since it is in part, to some, offensive by history. This Confederate Soldier Statue was erected in 1913 by E.S. Rugeley Chapter 542, United Daughters of the Confederacy in commemoration of E.S. Rugeley as an admirable leader. This statue is a symbolic representation of a time in Bay City's social history when confederacy structurally dominated, systematically intimidated, and deprived African American and Mexican residents of Matagorda County their basic civil rights and equality. 

The historic function or use of this structure marked for recreation and culture are a constant reminder of racial tension and injustice in Bay City, Texas as well as in America for African American residents interfering with the progression of this marginalized group living in or associated with the Bay City Area. For African American children and residents of the Bay City community, the visual impact of the monument is painful to certain populations and is reminiscent of harmful challenges faced during a critical era in Bay City's history. Outdoor recreation is of importance to the local economy, local residents, and the tourist industry. Consequently, this significant impact to recreation will further impact socioeconomic resources as well in the immediate area. The quality of significance in American History is problematic and concerning for African American citizens alone. The African American culture is not present in the structure and object of State and local importance that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association; and the property is associated with events that have made a significantly negative contribution to African Americans and Indigenous residents of Matagorda County and is associated with the lives of persons insignificant in our past.

Additionally, the property does not embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or does not represent the work of a master, or does not possess high artistic values, or does not represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. Altogether, the monument does not yield information important in African American prehistory or history. The magnitude of direct effects associated with this monument is not sufficient to the importance of recreation and tourism as the social as well as economic lifeblood of the Bay City Area for African Americans. The localized effects are concerning to a certain vulnerable group of residents. The indirect effects of this monument and any publicized celebratory events in its name and honor could elicit opposition and controversy in the area and further fail to include certain residents and visitors. Planning and executing the removal of this monument will be a positive step towards a mitigation measure and more appropriately contribute to the African American history of Bay City, Texas.

This structure is post-war, and was erected as a political statement in the time of Jim Crow. In this context, the presidential election of 1912 was very steeply against the interests of black Americans. For many blacks during this time, who majority still lived in the South, were effectively disenfranchised and were not able to vote. In addition to this superiority over blacks, the second Ku Klux Klan made its first public appearance in Texas at a United Confederate Veterans parade in October 1920. This fraternal white supremacist organization grew quickly in response to contemporary societal concerns for white men and women at this time. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) used a propaganda campaign to express the supremacy of a racialized white identity. This hate group utilized control practices that were traditional in style to impose violence, and structural power in protection of white supremacy.

As citizens of Bay City, Texas (Matagorda County), and the U.S., that desires to witness the progression of our city and advancement of the minority community, we should be open and welcome to all people regardless of race or ethnic background. Clearly, this monument is a plain depiction to the values of the Confederacy that we do not share. We can choose this time to remove this divisive structure and send the message that we do not in any way, support racial and societal division but promote equality for all.