Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Florida Cracker Trail
Photographed By David Tibbs, January 20, 2008
1. The Florida Cracker Trail Marker
Inscription.
The Florida Cracker Trail. . This point is the western terminus of the Florida Cracker Trail designated by the Florida State Legislature in 1987. The Cracker Trail follows an east/west route across the State of Florida that has existed since approximately 1850. This trail was used by Florida's early settlers to traverse the state. It was primarily used to drive cattle from Florida's heartland to the coastal ports for shipment mainly to Key West and Cuba. The Confederate Army relied on cattle from this area and other Florida sites to feed its troops stationed throughout the South. The term, "Cracker," was derived from the sound of these early cowhunter's cracking whips as they moved the cattle along this trail. Later, the words, "Florida Cracker," came to indicate a Florida native. One of the last major cattle drives along this route was in 1937. The Florida Cracker Trail runs through five counties from Bradenton to Ft. Pierce along portions of State Road 64, U.S. Highway 17, State Road 66, U.S. Highway 98, County Road 68, and U.S. Highway 441.
This point is the western terminus of the Florida Cracker Trail designated by the Florida State Legislature in 1987. The Cracker Trail follows an east/west route across the State of Florida that has existed since approximately 1850. This trail was used by Florida's early settlers to traverse the state. It was primarily used to drive cattle from Florida's heartland to the coastal ports for shipment mainly to Key West and Cuba. The Confederate Army relied on cattle from this area and other Florida sites to feed its troops stationed throughout the South. The term, "Cracker," was derived from the sound of these early cowhunter's cracking whips as they moved the cattle along this trail. Later, the words, "Florida Cracker," came to indicate a Florida native. One of the last major cattle drives along this route was in 1937. The Florida Cracker Trail runs through five counties from Bradenton to Ft. Pierce along portions of State Road 64, U.S. Highway 17, State Road 66, U.S. Highway 98, County Road 68, and U.S. Highway 441.
Erected 1988 by Manatee County Historical Commission, Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
27° 29.713′ N, 82° 32.911′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker is at the intersection of Manatee Avenue East (Florida Route 64) and 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east on Manatee Avenue East. Located at the entrance to the Manatee Village Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1404 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton FL 34208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,610 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on June 3, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
