Lion Gates in Need of Major Repair Says President of Historical Society

A fixture of University City is said to be in need of major repair.

"I'm not really very pleased to report that we have completed the inspection of the lions on the 'Lion Gates' and they are in serious disrepair," said Eleanor Mullin, president of the Historical Society of University City at the Feb. 28 City Council meeting. "We are looking at sadly a rather major repair."

The statues have experienced a lot of deterioration according to a conservation firm hired by the historical society. "They just have deteriorated. They are concrete. They were put up 20 years ago," Mullin said.

She told University City Patch that "The monetary amount is quite frightening." The firm hired to inspect the lions estimates that each lion will need $30,000 worth of repairs and that the brass on the columns will need $30,000 worth of repairs.

Mullin said the repairs are expensive enough that the historical society is looking at maybe even replacing the lions. She said she spoke with famed St. Louis sculptor Harry Weber, and he is interested in having his team repair the lions or even cast some new ones.

"Several of us think the notion of bronze might be nice," said Mullin. Weber is known for his bronze sculptures.

Mullin said the historical society will also have the four lions on the steps of City Hall inspected, and that should occur sometime this Spring.

Ultimately, Mullin hopes that fundraisers plus a grant will be enough to cover the costs.