Neighborhood Council of St. Augustine

South Davis Shores

South Davis Shores is a distinctive residential neighborhood on Anastasia Island, immediately across the Matanzas River from historic downtown St. Augustine. The neighborhood extends south and west from the Bridge of Lions and Anastasia Boulevard to Old Quarry Road, with the Matanzas River forming its western waterfront boundary.

Its location gives South Davis Shores a remarkable sense of place. Historic St. Augustine lies just across the river, while within the neighborhood are quiet residential streets, mature trees and landscaping, waterfront vistas and beautiful tree-canopied roads. Although only minutes from the heart of the nation's oldest city, South Davis Shores retains the comfortable character of an established residential neighborhood.

A Neighborhood with a Remarkable History

Long before South Davis Shores became a residential neighborhood, this portion of Anastasia Island was largely marsh and lowland. During St. Augustine's colonial period, the island served as a natural protective barrier for the settlement, with lookouts positioned on higher ground to watch the sea for approaching vessels. Coquina quarried on Anastasia Island also provided the building stone that became such an important part of St. Augustine's architectural heritage.

The landscape changed dramatically during Florida's great land boom of the 1920s. In 1925, prominent Florida developer D.P. "Doc" Davis purchased the lowlands on the northern end of Anastasia Island. Through an enormous dredge-and-fill operation, Davis raised the land and began creating an ambitious planned community that would bear his name.

His vision for Davis Shores was extraordinary for its time. The planned community included an extensive network of streets and sidewalks, parks and plazas, residences, business areas and recreational amenities. The distinctive curving streets and boulevards that remain today are part of the lasting legacy of Davis's original vision.

Florida's land bust of 1926 brought that vision to an abrupt halt. Although many lots had been sold, only a small number of the planned Mediterranean Revival buildings were constructed. When the Bridge of Lions opened in 1927, much of Davis Shores remained undeveloped.

It was not until the prosperous years following World War II that Davis Shores experienced the residential growth Davis had envisioned decades earlier. That history helps explain the interesting mixture of architectural styles found throughout South Davis Shores today.

Surrounded and Shaped by Water

Water is inseparable from the identity of South Davis Shores. The Matanzas River, nearby marshes and surrounding waterways contribute enormously to the neighborhood's natural beauty and provide extraordinary views of the landscape and some of St. Augustine's most recognizable landmarks.

They also present an enduring challenge. South Davis Shores' low elevation and relationship with the surrounding waterways make drainage, tidal flooding, stormwater management and long-term flood resilience especially important to the neighborhood.

Preserving the natural beauty and residential character of South Davis Shores while addressing those challenges is an important part of protecting the neighborhood for future generations.

Our Neighborhood Association

The South Davis Shores Neighborhood Association works to preserve and improve the quality of life within our neighborhood and to provide a collective voice for residents on matters affecting our community.

Our priorities include neighborhood safety, traffic calming, stormwater drainage and flood mitigation, responsible development, infrastructure maintenance, environmental stewardship and preservation of the residential character of South Davis Shores. We work with the City of St. Augustine and other governmental agencies to communicate neighborhood concerns, seek solutions and keep residents informed about matters that affect them.

Just as importantly, our association is about neighbors. We believe a strong neighborhood is built through communication, cooperation and people looking out for one another. We value the knowledge and experience of longtime residents and warmly welcome those who have more recently chosen to make South Davis Shores their home.

Association Map

Our Officers