Manatee County is comprised of six distinctive and unique communities. Bradenton and Palmetto are the largest and are situated on the mainland facing each other across the Manatee River. Manatee County’s barrier islands are home to the other four communities, including Longboat Key, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Seven-mile long Anna Maria Island lies just south of Tampa Bay bordered by three bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico on the western shore and Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Bay on the eastern shore. The island is the northernmost of a string of barrier islands that extend in a southerly direction - much like the Florida Keys do. Three cities call Anna Maria Island home: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Through the years, the island’s governmental bodies have strived to preserve Anna Maria Island’s “Old Florida” heritage and their diligence has paid off; today, only two of the island’s buildings stand more than three stories high.

The city of Anna Maria is situated among the island’s northernmost shore. Originally inhabited by the Timucan and Caloosan American Indian tribes, its recorded history dates back five centuries. The city’s first resident, George Emerson Bean, is credited with homesteading Anna Maria, laying out streets and water systems, building sidewalks and constructing homes there in the late 1800s. The city’s first church, built by Fig Newton creator George Roser, still stands and serves the community’s spiritual needs. Today, approximately 1,800 permanent residents enjoy the city’s idyllic setting, which also appeals to beachgoers, anglers and seafood lovers. For more information, visit online at www.annamariaisland.com

Holmes Beach dates back to 1896 when Sam and Annie Cobb homesteaded 160 acres from Gulf of Mexico to Tampa Bay. But it was after visionary developer Jack Holmes that the community was named; he is credited with creating the city’s 600-acre community that lies in the center of Anna Maria Island. Today, Holmes Beach is home to some 5,000 residents who make good use of the county’s only public beach, convenient marinas, eclectic shops and delicious dining opportunities. As the island’s largest community, Holmes Beach offers the greatest assortment of motels and rental condominiums as well. For more information, visit online at www.holmesbeach.org

In 1921, Anna Maria Island was joined to the mainland via a wooden bridge; the Bradenton Beach fishing pier is the western end of that original bridge. Located at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach was incorporated in 1953 and boasts 1,700 permanent residents. The community’s quaint seaside inns, charming motels and shoreline condominiums house vacationers and natives alike. They enjoy strolling through the city’s newly refurbished downtown, plentiful waterfront dining opportunities and relaxing on nearby 96-acre Coquina Beach.

With a history dating back to the early 1840s, Bradenton is the largest of Manatee County’s cities. Originally known as the Village of Manatee, it was subsequently named after sugarcane magnate Joseph Baden whose industrial entrepreneurship has continued to make Bradenton a commercial stronghold. In fact, Tropicana Products has produced its juice products in the city for more than a century and Champs Sports has followed suit. Today, Bradenton epitomizes the successful melding of antiquated charm and modern convenience. Fifty thousand residents call Bradenton - which lies on the southern side of the Manatee River and plays host to the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training site - their home. The city is a vibrant hub where county government, industry, healthcare and the arts peacefully coexist in and around the city’s quaint downtown district. And Bradenton offers homebuyers and renters a variety of housing options, including those available in more established neighborhoods and in newer communities.

For more information, visit online at www.bradentonflorida.com

The barrier island community of Longboat Key, situated just south of Anna Maria Island, is home to some 8,000 permanent residents. Especially popular to retirees, 12-mile long Longboat Key also attracts resort seekers and second-home owners seasonally, boosting the population to as many as 20,000 in peak season. Legend has it that Hernando DeSoto landed on Longboat Key’s sun-drenched shores in 1539. Homes were built on the key - which is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and Sarasota Bay on the east - in the early 1900s and some of these historic sites remain standing today. Incorporated in 1955, development was especially active in the 60s and 70s, when the first of the key’s condominiums was developed. Superb shopping and dining, full-service luxury resorts and marinas as well as championship golf and tennis have made Longboat Key one of Manatee County’s most popular destinations.

For more information, visit online at www.longboatkey.org

Palmetto is the largest and oldest of Manatee County’s six cities. Situated just north of Bradenton across the Manatee River, this city of some 10,000 residents boasts one of Florida’s most eminent collections of historic buildings. More than 160 sites have been listed on the National Register, attesting to the city’s appreciation and dedication to maintaining its rich heritage. Examples include the Carnegie Library - which houses historical artifacts - built in 1912, and the post office dating back to the 1880s. Palmetto is also home to the county’s only agricultural museum and plays host to two major events each year: the 4th of July Celebration and the Tomato Festival. The city’s small town appeal makes it popular with everyone from young families to retirees and is even drawing its fair share of new businesses. For more information, visit online at www.palmettofl.org

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