Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) names “America's Most Endangered Historic Places.” These sites are chosen to illustrate highly significant symbols of our American heritage threatened by neglect, deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy.

  The mission of the NTHP is to save America's diverse historic environment and to preserve and revitalize the livability of communities nationwide. Chartered by Congress in 1949, the NTHP has more than 270,000 members, seven regional offices and works with thousands of local community groups in all 50 states.

  The Bridge of Lions, in our beautiful city, has been chosen as one of this year’s selections by the NTHP. Carrying traffic over the Matanzas River since 1927, this National Register bridge is in imminent danger from calls for a replacement bridge with a wider clearance for larger barges to come through our port, according to Richard Moe, president of the NTHP.

  The Bridge of Lions is one of St. Augustine’s most identifiable landmarks, and it would be a devastating blow to our community to lose this architectural and historical treasure. The St. Augustine City Commission has voted 3-2 to support restoration. Your help is needed with this effort.

John Reardon

City Councilman