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

The Fogarty Boat Works

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 20, 2008

1. The Fogarty Boat Works Marker

Inscription. In 1866, three brothers, John, Bartholomew, and Bill Fogarty, settled in Manatee County and established a ship building and coastal trading schooner base on the shore of the Manatee River. In the years before automobiles and railroads, Manatee County and other coastal communities depended on boats as their main form of transportation. The Fogartys developed a thriving business constructing smacks, schooners, sloops and yawls as well as smaller boats. At the age of 19, Bartholomew's son, known as Captain Bat, built his first ship. During his lifetime, Captain Bat constructed hundreds of sailing ships, power vessels, small boats and skiffs. This building housed his last boat works and was closed at his death in 1944. In 1993, Captain Bat's grandson, Charles Fogarty, died, and his sisters-in-law, Margaret Niesiobedzki, and Patricia Blickensderfer, gave the building to the South Florida Museum. Through the combined effort of the museum, the Manatee County Historical Commission, the Florida Maritime Historical Historical Society, and the Fogarty family, the boat works and its contents were preserved, moved to this site, restored

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by volunteer labor and opened to the public in 1995. Additional equipment and tools from the boat works are on display at the South Florida Museum.

Erected 1995.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 27° 29.717′ N, 82° 32.86′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. It can be reached from the intersection of Manatee Avenue East and 14th Street East. This marker is located inside the Manatee Village Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1404 Manatee Avenue East, 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,

The Fogarty Boat Works and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 20, 2008

2. The Fogarty Boat Works and Marker

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: Florida Naval Stores (a few steps from this marker); Life on the Florida Frontier: The Stephens Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wiggins Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stephens House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Smokehouse, Syrup Kettle and Sugar Cane Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Cabbage Head (within shouting distance of this marker); The Potter Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bassett Chapter (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.

Also see . . .
1. Manatee Village Historical Park. "Step back into time at the Manatee Village Historical Park. Visit this collection of restored buildings from Manatee County’s settlement history and experience life in Manatee County before the arrival of modern conveniences such as automobiles and electricity."
No Admission - Donations Appreciated. (Submitted on June 4, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

2. South Florida Museum.

The Fogarty Boat Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 20, 2008

3. The Fogarty Boat Works

(Submitted on June 4, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)
3. Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez. Repaired broken link; 10/17/2020 LPG. (Submitted on June 4, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

Boat being built. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 20, 2008

4. Boat being built.

Saw and belts. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 20, 2008

5. Saw and belts.

Manatee Village Historical Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2019

6. Manatee Village Historical Plaque

Manatee Village Historical Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2019

7. Manatee Village Historical Park Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,726 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 4, 2011, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. 6, 7. submitted on March 10, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.