Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Settler's Homesite
Marker Front:
Located a few yards from this spot near the banks of the Manatee River is the site of the log home of Josiah Gates. Gates was the first Anglo-American settler in the entire Manatee area which at that time extended southward to the Caloosahatchee River and eastward to the Kissimmee River. After the Second Seminole War, the Armed Occupation Act of August 4, 1842, opened Central Florida to American settlers. Gates, a native of South Carolina, moved his family here from Fort Brook (Tampa) early in 1843.
Marker Reverse:
In 1851, Josiah Gates replaced his first dwelling with a twenty room, three story frame home located a few yards further back from the river on this same site. The "Gates House" served newly arrived settlers and visitors as a hotel in the wilderness. Josiah Gates became a prosperous farmer as well as a successful innkeeper. He was also active in local government after Manatee County was created in 1855. He died in 1871. Neither of the two structures built by Josiah Gates is still standing.
Erected 1977 by Manatee County Historical Society in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-281.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 27° 29.946′ N, 82° 32.893′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker is on 15th Street East north of 2nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 15th Street East, Bradenton FL 34208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Manatee Mineral Spring (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Manatee Courthouse / Manatee Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theodosia Curry Lloyd House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Civil War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Curry Houses National Register Historic District / Refuge of Peace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Curry Family (approx. ¼ mile away); Curry House Circa 1860 (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary Amelia Curry House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.