Palmetto was founded by Samuel Sparks Lamb in 1866. He platted the village and named it after his native state of South Carolina, the "Palmetto State."

Much of Palmetto’s history has been preserved by many dedicated citizens and by the Palmetto Historical Commission. The restored 1912 Carnegie Library is the repository for all artifacts, photographs and documents relating not only to the history of the City, but of north Manatee County.

The Library, headquarters of the Palmetto Historical Commission, is currently open on Tuesday through Saturday. Palmetto’s first post office is located adjacent to the Carnegie Library, call 941-723-4991.

The City of Palmetto Historic District was created on November 30, 1986. 164 of the original 208 structures still exist. A map of the District and list of structures is available at City Hall and at the Carnegie Library. Call 941-723-4570 or 941-723-4991 for additional information.

When legendary Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto and his faithful crew of conquistadors stepped ashore the banks of the Manatee River more than 450 years ago, they were unable to find the heralded bounty of gold for which they searched. What they did find, however, was something even more valuable. The river’s fertile banks served as the welcome mat to what soon proved to be a region so full of natural beauty it could only be described as breathtaking. In appreciation of their discovery, DeSoto and his fellow explorers are commemorated on a number of local landmarks.

Despite DeSoto’s findings, the region lay uninhabited for several hundred years. In 1842, another explorer chose to lay claim to the area. Josiah Gates and his fellow pioneers decided to name their new homestead after the West Indian sea cows seen so frequently in the area’s plentiful waterways. And such is the story of how a region so rich in natural assets became named Manatee.

While the waterways provided a ready source of transportation, the railroad provided an even more convenient thoroughfare for travelers. Bridges and roadways helped tie the land together and made it all the more accessible for vacationers who - in the 1920s - discovered Manatee County’s numerous benefits as a vacation destination. Many of these holiday-seekers later chose to retire in this area as well. A decade later, baseball found its way to the region and in the ensuing years, a number of Major League teams have held their spring training camps in the Bradenton area. In fact, the Pittsburgh Pirates have called nearby and recently refurbished McKechnie Field home for more than 30 years.

While Manatee County has experienced steady growth through the years, it has managed to hold onto its rich history. Whether it’s retirees seeking to spend their golden years in a tropical paradise or young families and up-and-coming business professionals looking to make their mark on the world, Manatee County has remained a favorite locale. And the media agrees. Not long ago, Money Magazine ranked Manatee County the 21st Best Place to Live in America while PC World ranked it the Second Best Mid-Size City to Work from Home.

So what is it, precisely, that attracts people of all ages and demographics to Manatee County? With so much to offer, we can only guess. Perhaps it’s the melding of our region’s picturesque villages with our old-Florida style neighborhoods. Maybe it’s the eastern area of our county, where a rural atmosphere prevails. Or it could be our 150 miles of pristine shorelines with resort-like communities that visitors and residents alike find so attractive. It may even be our sub-tropical climate that offers the very best in Florida living day in and day out. Whatever you may be seeking, you’re certain to find the very best of it in the established and history-rich acreage of Manatee County.

If DeSoto were alive today, he would rue the day he turned his ships from our shores, realizing that Manatee County offers so much more than the gold for which he searched. Fortunately, DeSoto’s loss is our gain. Manatee County…discover it for yourself.

The Palms of Manasota, Inc. PO Box 460 • Palmetto, FL 34220
Phone: 941- 722-5858. E-mail: info@palmsofmanasota.com