Prudential Building's Rock of Gilbraltar

In 1955, the Prudential Company completed their newest offices, a sprawling 22-story building that was both the largest insurance office in the Southeastern United States and the first sky scrapper built in Jacksonville since the end of World War II. It was to serve as South-Central Home Office building of the Prudential Insurance Co. of America.

Inspired by the company motto “Prudential Has The Strength of Gibraltar,” the British Navy transported a two-and-a-half-ton chunk of the Rock of Gilbraltar and delivered it to the new office building. It was delivered on January 7, 1995 and gifted to the city of Jacksonville.

The Rock of Gilbraltar is a limestone monolith that stands near the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It is the northern half of the historic Pillars of Hercules, which according to Ancient Greek legend marked the western edge of the known world.