Guardians of Grace: The Davis Shores Lions of St. Augustine
Nestled beside St. Augustine’s iconic Bridge of Lions, two majestic new lion sculptures stand proudly in Davis Park, facing their marble predecessors across the Matanzas River. These aren’t the original “Firm” and “Faithful,” but thoughtful companions: Pax (Peace) and Peli (Happiness), donated as monuments of community, history, and legacy totallystaugustine.comSt. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL.
From Florence to Florida: The Medici Inspiration
The story of the Davis Shores lions begins with their models: the original lions on the west side of the Bridge of Lions were crafted from Carrara marble by the Romanelli Studios in Florence, Italy. They are artistic reproductions of the Medici lions flanking the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence—a symbol of strength and artistic elegance WikipediaUFHSA Governor’s House Library. These statues were commissioned and gifted by Dr. Andrew Anderson, a former mayor and patron of public art in St. Augustine, as a parting legacy in the 1920s WikipediaSt. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL.
A Sibling Statue Emerges: Pax and Peli
In 2015, to complement the original guardians and commemorate the city’s 450th anniversary, St. Augustine residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau sponsored two new lions. Sculpted in the same Medici-inspired style but in granite, these lions—named Pax and Peli—were unveiled in a small ceremony at Davis Park on Anastasia Boulevard, on the east (Anastasia Island) side of the bridge totallystaugustine.comVisit St. Augustine. While not exact replicas, they are clearly meant to mirror the originals in spirit and style, reinforcing themes of peace, happiness, and continuity totallystaugustine.comVisit St. Augustine.
Davis Shores & the Bridge of Lions: A Neighborhood’s Story
Vision Born of Swamp and Splendor
The Davis Shores neighborhood and its lions link deeply to the history of real estate ambition in St. Augustine. During Florida’s 1920s land boom, developer D. P. Davis embarked on an audacious plan to transform marshy land on Anastasia Island into a grand Mediterranean-style residential enclave—complete with golf courses, parks, hotels, and even a yacht club UFHSA Governor’s House Librarythenewcomergroup.com.
To connect his envisioned neighborhood to the city, the Bridge of Lions was conceived—not merely as infrastructure for cars, but as a statement of beauty. Completed in 1927, the bridge was hailed as “the most beautiful bridge in Dixie” UFHSA Governor’s House LibrarySt. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FLWikipedia. Sadly, Davis disappeared mysteriously at sea in 1926, and like many Florida land boom schemes, Davis Shores was only partially built. The area remained modestly developed until after World War II, when new growth began to reshape it UFHSA Governor’s House Librarythenewcomergroup.com.
A Resilient Neighborhood in Motion
Today, Davis Shores is a cherished residential area within St. Augustine’s city limits—celebrated for its waterfront views, architectural variety, and quiet charm. It’s a neighborhood that weathered hurricanes and economic downturns but remains deeply tied to the city’s identity thenewcomergroup.comWikipedia.
A Walk Across Time and Tides
Imagine strolling across the Bridge of Lions: on one side stand the timeless Carrara marble lions—Firm and Faithful—symbols of St. Augustine’s longstanding heritage. Cross over into Davis Shores, and there, in a quiet green space shaded by palms, greet their siblings—Pax and Peli—bearing messages of peace and happiness for the city’s future. These four great cats bookend a crossing that links not just land, but story, aspiration, and community.
The Davis Shores lions are more than public statues—they’re a tribute to collective memory, family, civic pride, and continuity. Their presence ties the early 20th-century dreams of D. P. Davis and Dr. Anderson to the city’s 450th‑ritual of remembrance and the thriving, layered community that Davis Shores has become.
