Welcome to the Gulf Coast

Our area has been a back drop for Hollywood movie productions and film festivals as well an artistic and cultural epicenter.  It is also no stranger to the cheering of thousands of sports fanatics as it plays host to fans and players alike at championship sports events.

See more about our area events and find resource links below on our things to do page.

Then and Now

Manatee and Sarasota Counties are rich in history, heritage and culture.  Each community is a strong representative of the pride we take in preserving the treasure we are so privileged to call home into a future of modern convenience.

Named after the manatee, or sea cow, Manatee County was created in 1855.  It is made up of six communities, each with its’ own unique personality. Separated by the Manatee river, Bradenton and Palmetto represent the largest of them.  The four additional communities, include the barrier islands of Longboat Key, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach

Bradenton

THE FRIENDLY CITY

Stretching along the Manatee river Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.It has come a long way from its’ modest beginning that dates as far back as the 1840’s.  It is home to over 50,000 residents as well as some well known household name businesses including Tropicana, (100 year relationship), Champs, Wellcraft and Beall’s Corporation.

Downtown offers tastes to suite every palette.The cobblestone streets of downtown are host to seasonal farmers markets, monthly “Get Down, Downtown” event and some of the best bars, shops and eateries this town can offer.  During the week it is a bustling hive of activity as a base for government, industry, healthcare, the arts and seasonal sports events.

History

Originally discovered by Hernando De Soto at Shaw's Point in 1539, Bradenton was known as The Village of Manatee.

Dr. Joseph Braden, an industrial entrepreneur, physician and native Virginian, relocated from Tallahassee in the early 1840's and by 1850 had acquired approximately 900 acres of land where he built a steam operated sugar and grist mill.

Its more recognized name “Bradenton” was established in 1943’ when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown (incorporated in 1903).

1903 - Bradenton was incorporated as a city.

Received Electric Light Plant and Trolley Car – Christmas

Population 2,000.

1913 - Brick Courthouse erected on 12th St W. and Manatee Ave. (16 months construction)

1921 - Dr. & Mrs. Charles William Larrabee bought the Leonard Sanitarium which was converted into a hospital, (originally had only 18 beds, and would become the Bradenton General Hospital.

1925 - Bradentown voted to drop the “W” and became Bradenton.

Motto “The Friendly City” was adopted

Manatee River Hotel at was built with 285 rooms each having a personal bath.  This hotel has seen many changes yet still has some mystique for vacationers and residents.  Although history can not state the stories of the “Palace” to be fact, it is believed bootleggers brought liquor there during the height of Prohibition, Rita Hayworth and Babe Ruth sometimes partied there and Al Capone spent a night there.

1926 - Memorial Pier (in honor of WWI Veterans) was built as a loading dock for steamboats.

1937 - The Art League of Manatee County was organized.

1953 - Manatee Memorial Hospital opened standing five stories and having 100 beds.

1976 - Manatee Village Historical Park in East Bradenton was created.

The City Leased the land for $1.00 which includes the 1860

Original County Courthouse and the 1887 United Methodist Church Building

1978 - New Manatee County Central Library opens

1979 - Old Carnegie Library building reopened as Manatee County Historical Records Library

1983 – “The” 65 acre “Sandpile” an area dredged from the Manatee River started with $400,000 worth of construction including the “Old Cabbage Head” locomotive.

1984 - The sale of Manatee Memorial Hospital marked the end of public hospital in Manatee County.

1985 - Manatee County Civic Center opened on the north bank of the

Manatee River near the DeSoto Bridge. New high-rise skyline for downtown Bradenton as new banking buildings opened.  Almost all banks changed their names and affiliations at least once from 1984-1987, as new banking laws allowed mergers.

1987 - Downtown buildings across from the courthouse torn down to make way for multistory County Government office building.

1989 - County Administration Building is completed

1990 - Tropicana moves into it’s new facility.

PALMETTO

History

The city of Palmetto was incorporated in June 1893.

S.S. Lamb purchased this property on February 3, 1868.  The Lamb home, built by Juliann (Madam Joe) Atzeroth, who acquired the property in 1850, was originally used as a store by Madam Joe.It would become Palmetto's first public school.  The first post office, established in1873 and the first shipping dock was built Joel Hendrix several years after he came here in 1871.  The narrow-gauge Palmetto Terminal Railroad was built in 1895 to haul produce from farms northwest of town to the dock.  The town's first three stores stood just east of Ninth Avenue on Riverside Drive.  This is also the location of the county’s first bank, Manatee County State Bank, which was established in 1899 and was Palmetto's first brick building.

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