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

A Second and Third Life for Belle Haven

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

1. A Second and Third Life for Belle Haven Marker

Inscription. Building a home on Anna Maria Island in the 1920s was expensive. Building materials had to be shipped in by boat. The resourceful islanders re-used and re-purposed as much as possible. When a large storm washed Belle Haven cottage into the bay, islander Lyman Christy was quick to buy the floating home for $125. He hired a crew to salvage and move it by barge to his property on Palmetto Avenue. Belle Haven served as the Christy family home for over 50 years and a rental cottage for another 25. Over time, a sleeping porch, kitchen and bathroom (and plumbing), were added to the home.

In 2000, the cottage was planned for demolition. The Anna Maria Island Historical Society (AMIHS) saw this as an opportunity to add a historic island cottage to their park on Pine Avenue. Working with the three cities of Anna Maria Island, AMIHS received permission and help to relocate the home next to the museum. It took several years of dedicated volunteer labor to lovingly restore the home to its 1920s appearance.

(Captions):
Ca. 1926 postcard of the Anna Maria City Pier. Belle Haven is in the foreground; Lotus Cottage is just behind it.

Volunteers continue to restore Belle Haven to its original 1920s appearance.

November 27, 2001, Belle Haven moves to its new location at the Anna

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Maria Island Historical Museum.

Erected by Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.

Location. 27° 31.783′ N, 82° 44.085′ W. Marker is in Anna Maria, Florida, in Manatee County. It can be reached from Pine Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 Pine Ave, Anna Maria FL 34216, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s 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: The Homes on the End of the Pier (here, next to this marker); The Historic Cottages of Pine Avenue (a few steps from this marker); The Old City Jail (a few steps from 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. 0.3 miles away); Historic Anna Maria City Pier (approx. 0.3 miles away); Passage Key (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anna Maria.

Also see . . . Anna Maria Island Historical Society. This is the organization that preserved the house at the park. (Submitted on March 11, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

A Second and Third Life for Belle Haven Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, March 11, 2026

2. A Second and Third Life for Belle Haven Marker - wide view

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.