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. 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.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.

Location. 27° 29.713′ N, 82° 32.911′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It 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.

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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2019

2. The Florida Cracker Trail Marker

within walking distance of this marker: Old Cabbage Head (a few steps from this marker); The Wiggins Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Smokehouse, Syrup Kettle and Sugar Cane Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stephens House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fogarty Boat Works (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florida Naval Stores (about 300 feet away); The Potter Barn (about 300 feet away); Life on the Florida Frontier: The Stephens Family (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

Also see . . . Florida Cracker Trail on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 3, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

Manatee Village Historical Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2019

3. Manatee Village Historical Plaque

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2019

4. The Florida Cracker Trail Marker

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 3,212 times since then and 87 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.