Cortez in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Village of Cortez

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017

1. The Village of Cortez Marker-Side 1

Inscription. (Side 1)
Origin of the name CORTEZ cannot be proved but is thought to have begun with the inhabitants of a Spanish fishing "rancho" in this vicinity. The area was known as "Hunter's Point" to local residents until the 1880's. This is borne out by notations found on the U.S. Coast Survey of the Manatee River and vicinity in 1874. Manatee County Deed records show 110 acres here were purchased from Florida Land and Improvement (Disston Purchase) by Allen Gardner for $139.03 on April 17, 1883. In 1887 the 20 acre parcel surrounding and to the north of this site was subdivided and in Sept. 1888 a post office under the name CORTEZ was established with Charles D. Jones as postmaster. Mail came three times a week by boat from Braidentown. During the latter years of the 19th century the area was settled by commercial fishermen of English descent, most often coming here from the coastal counties of North Carolina, primarily Carteret and Onslow. (continued on other side) (Side 2) (continued from other side) The residents called the eastern shore of Sarasota Bay south of the village "THE KITCHEN" as its wealth of fish, scallops

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and other seafood made it possible for them to feed their families in hard times. Net fishing for the huge schools of black mullet was the core of the Cortez fishing industry and thousands of pounds were annually caught, processed and shipped by boat to Cedar Key and later to Tampa after the railroad arrived there. Records show that by 1897 Cortez was a thriving fishing community with stores, a school and other refinements. The fish houses and other shoreline structures were virtually destroyed by the high waters and winds of the 1921 hurricane but the determined residents rebuilt and continued their chosen trade. Many descendants of the earliest families still reside in the immediate area or in Manatee County and some are still engaged in commercial fishing and related occupations.

Erected 1983 by The Manatee County Historical Commission in cooperation with the Board of County Commissioners.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 17, 1883.

Location. 27° 27.971′ N, 82° 41.132′ W. Marker is in Cortez, Florida, in

The Village of Cortez Marker-Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017

2. The Village of Cortez Marker-Side 2

Manatee County. It is at the intersection of 46th Avenue West and 123rd Street Court West, on the left when traveling west on 46th Avenue West. Marker is in front of the Star Fish Company and Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12306 46th Avenue West, Cortez FL 34215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Century of Community/Un siglo de comunidad (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Cortez/Bienvenido a Cortez (approx. 0.3 miles away); Propeller from the 1892 Steamboat 'Mistletoe' (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pillsbury Boatshop (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pillsbury Boatshop/Pillsbury Tienda de Barcos

The Village of Cortez Marker looking south. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 29, 2017

3. The Village of Cortez Marker looking south.

(approx. 0.3 miles away); The 1890 Bratton Store / The 1912 Cortez Rural Graded Schoolhouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Robert Sailors Artistic Haven/Refugio artístico de Robert Sailors (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Burton/Bratton Store / La Tienda de Burton/Bratton (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cortez.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.