The Homes on the end of The Pier
Early Islanders relied on small boats to bring supplies and to transport visitors. As more people discovered the island, a new transportation solution was needed. In 1911, developers built a 776-foot-long pier to accommodate larger boats and to entice tourists and investors to buy lots and to build homes and businesses.
In 1913, Col. John Tice, a prominent Tampa banker, built a luxurious four-bedroom summer cottage on the end of the City Pier and named it Lotus Cottage. An icehouse, later converted into a fish and tropical fruit canning plant, was added in the 1920s. When the cannery failed the building was remodeled into a rental cottage named Belle Haven.
A large storm in 1926 pounded the pier. Weakened by generations of wood-boring marine worms, the pilings collapsed, washing the homes into the bay.
The larger Lotus Cottage broke up; Belle Haven was found intact. While still floating, the cottage was purchased for $125 and barged around the north end of the island where it served as a home for more than 75 years.
According to local lore, when Belle Haven slid into the bay, a man staying in the cottage jumped
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Erected by Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 27° 31.786′ N, 82° 44.082′ W. Marker is on Anna Maria Island, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker can be reached from Pine Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Crescent Drive. Located in Anna Maria Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria FL 34216, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Historic Cottages of Pine Avenue (here, next to this marker); The Old City Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); The City of Anna Maria Historical Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Island Playhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); The Anna Maria Pier (approx. ¼ mile away); Passage Key (approx. 0.4 miles away); “Bean's Point” / Early Legend (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Village of Cortez (approx. 5.3 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on March 25, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 24, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
