On 9th Avenue West just east of Virginia Drive, on the right when traveling east.
At this location over Wares Creek once stood one of the oldest concrete arch deck bridges in the State of Florida. Designed by noted local civil engineer Freeman H. Horton, the former 9th Avenue West bridge was constructed during World War II by the . . . — — Map (db m100899) HM
Near 3rd Avenue Northwest at 43rd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Adams Cemetery, once known as the Fogartyville Colored Cemetery, began in 1896 when William H. and Eliza Atzeroth Forgarty donated four acres of land to the community for use as a public cemetery. The cemetery’s earliest marker is the final resting . . . — — Map (db m100900) HM
On 12th Street West at 3rd Avenue West, on the right when traveling south on 12th Street West.
(side 1)
In April of 1915, twenty-two year old Robert M. Beall opened a simple dry goods store on this block of Old Main Street. Pricing nothing over a dollar, he named it the Dollar Limit. Beall invested his money in merchandise so when . . . — — Map (db m100947) HM
On Braden Castle Drive at Plaza Street East, on the right when traveling west on Braden Castle Drive.
Dr. Joseph Addison Braden, graduate physician, native of Virginia, came from Tallahassee to Manatee River in 1843 and acquired about 1100 acres of land; built a sugar mill about 2½ miles south of Manatee. With materials at hand he constructed, . . . — — Map (db m131224) HM
On Plaza Street East at Braden Castle Drive, on the right when traveling north on Plaza Street East.
Dr. Joseph Addison Braden, physician and native Virginian, came from Tallahassee to the Manatee River in the early 1840's. By 1850 he had acquired approximately 900 acres of land and built a steam operated sugar and grist mill. In that year using . . . — — Map (db m149336) HM
On Morgan Johnson Road (57th Street East) south of 32nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling south.
Side 1
The Braden River is the largest tributary of the Manatee River and is 35 miles in length. It is named for Dr. Joseph Braden, a Tallahassee sugar planter who came here in 1842 and established a sugar plantation at the western . . . — — Map (db m146454) HM
On 9th Avenue West at 13th Street West, on the left when traveling west on 9th Avenue West.
On this site from January 1, 1921-May 31, 1957 stood the Bradenton General Hospital owned and operated by Dr. C.W. Larrabee and wife, Dovie Collins Larrabee for the use of all doctors and benefit and care of all people in this area. — — Map (db m110641) HM
On Tamiami Trail/14th Street West (U.S. 41 BUS) just north of 23rd Avenue West, on the left when traveling north.
BRADENTON KIWANIS CLUB
The Bradenton Kiwanis Club was originally chartered on August 22. 1922 as the Manatee River Kiwanis Club. Later the name of the club was changed to Kiwanis Club of Bradenton. Founding members. Robert M.
Beall, Whitney . . . — — Map (db m236503) HM
On Manatee Avenue West (State Road 64) 0.1 miles west of 3rd Street West, on the right when traveling west.
The Atlantic Coastline Railroad Company Passenger and Freight Depot Bradentown Florida, built c. 1925, became the Bradenton Depot when Bradentown dropped the w from its name. The historical significance on local and state levels was tremendous as . . . — — Map (db m144859) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway, 0.3 miles north of 24th Avenue Northwest when traveling north.
This Spanish Camp was built to resemble De Soto’s base camp at the Indian village of Uzita. Under Captain Pedro Calderon’s command, approximately one hundred soldiers, sailors, and horsemen operated “Camp Uzita” as a supply port, with instructions . . . — — Map (db m217057) HM
On 9th Street West south of 13th Avenue West, on the right when traveling north.
(side 1)
With baseball suspended for the duration of WWII, present-day McKechnie Field was closed between 1941-48 and taken over by the U.S. Army and named Camp Bradenton. Under command of Maj. Joseph H. Dunlap, it was designated a Signal . . . — — Map (db m102469) HM
On Manatee Avenue West (State Road 64) just west of 11th Street West, on the left when traveling west.
(side 1)
In 1892, John Crews Pelot deeded this 200 x 400 square foot parcel of land to Manatee County for the sum of $200.00. The land was cleared at a cost of $62.50, and a new courthouse, the first in "Braidentown" and the county's third . . . — — Map (db m100948) HM
On 4th Avenue East east of 12th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
The Curry Houses are two of the oldest homes in Bradenton still in the location where they were built. Their age and connection to the Curry family make them important markers of the community’s history. Reflections of Manatee is dedicated to . . . — — Map (db m218514) HM
On 4th Avenue East, 0.1 miles west of 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
Curry Houses National Register Historic District
On this site, Captain John and Mary (Kemp) Curry built 22 homes after purchasing 30 acres from Dr. Franklin Branch in 1859. Their extended family of 29 moved here from Key West on a . . . — — Map (db m168455) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north.
Picture the past as you stand here. Indians once gathered oysters and clams along this shore and fished the river. On your left are remnants of a mound composed of shells they discarded after countless meals. Long after the Indians were gone road . . . — — Map (db m125368) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north.
The De Soto Trail Monument was placed here by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. The granite monument was dedicated on May 30, 1939, during the 400th anniversary of the landfall of the Hernando de Soto expedition. In 1948 this . . . — — Map (db m125323) HM
Near here Hernando DeSoto with his men landed May 30, 1539 and began his march westward to the Mississippi River. This marker commemorates the 400th anniversary of his arrival on the shores of Florida. — — Map (db m125358) HM
On 17th Street East at 3rd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north on 17th Street East.
(side 1)
Edmund Lee Family Graveyard and the Lonesome Grave
According to local history, members of the Lee family are buried here. Rev. Edmund Lee, a Presbyterian Minister, his wife Electa, and their daughter Sarah, came to the . . . — — Map (db m112518) HM
This ring is one of three in the Park. It is made from a former locomotive drive wheel rim. A steel mallet striking the rim would alert the residents if necessary. An antique hand drawn fire wagon is located in front of the Pavilion. — — Map (db m218396) HM
On 15th Street East at 4th Avenue East, on the right when traveling north on 15th Street East.
Marker Front: Manatee County was created by legislative action signed January 9, 1855, from Hillsborough, St. Lucie, and Monroe Counties. Five years later, in 1860, Josiah Gates and Mary, his wife, deeded to Manatee County a parcel of land . . . — — Map (db m72425) HM
On 15th Street West at Manatee Avenue West (State Road 64), on the right when traveling south on 15th Street West.
(side 1)
The First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton is the oldest congregation in the bounds of the original Village of Bradenton and the oldest south of Tampa. In 1885, land was deeded to five trustees for the planned Braidentown . . . — — Map (db m81754) HM
On 15th Street East north of 2nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north.
Marker Front: Located a few yards from this spot near the banks of the Manatee River is the site of the log home of Josiah Gates. Gates was the first Anglo-American settler in the entire Manatee area which at that time extended southward . . . — — Map (db m72426) HM
On 12th Street West at 3rd Avenue West, on the right when traveling south on 12th Street West.
(side 1)
In 1939, the Legislature created the Department of Public Safety and Florida Highway Patrol. Governor Fred P. Cone appointed W.F. Reid director in September. On October 1, Major H. Neil Kirkman was appointed Commandant of the . . . — — Map (db m100925) HM
Side 1:
The Naval stores industry, as the name implies, was once the backbone of every nations navy. The wood, tar, caulk, and other materials derived from the pine tree were needed to build, repair and waterproof wooden ships. America . . . — — Map (db m131054) HM
Manatee County's first Courthouse was built in 1859-1860, and is the oldest remaining building constructed as a county courthouse in the State of Florida. It was built on the original Courthouse Square at 15th Street East and Fourth Avenue, two . . . — — Map (db m43101) HM
On Riverview Boulevard West at 26th Street West Northwest, on the left when traveling north on Riverview Boulevard West.
(side 1)
Former Town of Fogartyville
This marker stands on the eastern boundary of Fogartyville, a town founded on land acquired under the Homestead Act after the War Between the States by Fogarty bros., Capt. Bartholomew (Tole), . . . — — Map (db m100901) HM
Near Fort Hamer Road, 0.1 miles south of Rive Isle Run.
Near this location stood Fort Hamer, a Second Seminole War fort and hospital that stood on the south bank of the Manatee River at the highest point navigable by steamboats. The fort was part of a greater U.S. military strategy of a line of forts . . . — — Map (db m239222) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north.
In Panama with Pedrarias
Hernando de Soto, second son of a country hidalgo, or minor noble, was born around 1500 in the Extremadura region of Spain. At age 13, he left home to seek his fortune in the New World. After proving he had . . . — — Map (db m126567) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW.
The Hernando de Soto Catholic Memorial, also known as the Holy Eucharist Monument, and the Memorial Cross, just across the bridge from here, are owned by the Catholic Diocese of Venice, Florida. The base stone of this monument was quarried and cut . . . — — Map (db m125790) HM
Near 63rd Street East, 0.1 miles west of Linger Lodge Road East.
In August 1944. the United States was engaged in a great struggle in the European and Pacific theaters of World War II. In contrast, standing on the banks of the Braden River were Manatee County residents Al "Jiggs" and Agnes Metcalf. looking over . . . — — Map (db m239216) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway, 0.3 miles north of 24th Avenue Northwest when traveling north.
Trained in horses and arms, nineteen-year-old Hernando Desoto first traveled to Peru, the land of the Inca, in 1520. Sixteen years later, rich with plundered gold, he returned to Spain in triumph.
This man, “dry of words and stern . . . — — Map (db m217048) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north.
Born of Nomads
The early peoples of the Americas were descended from nomadic tribes that arrived during the last Ice Age—more than 12,000 years ago. Florida’s climate resembled that of savannah Africa. Early hunters tracked mastodons, . . . — — Map (db m126568) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
For much of Florida’s history, the home was essential to all family activities and to survival. This included the care of children, preparation of meals, protection from the elements, and entertainment. Families gathered in kitchens and parlors . . . — — Map (db m131754) HM
On 1st Street (U.S. 41) 0.1 miles north of 10th Avenue Drive West, on the right when traveling south.
The Manatee County Board of Public Instruction purchased property from Mr. Alden J. Adams on July 25, 1914, and from Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Singletary on May 17, 1922, “for the purposes of a school for Negro children.” The old Manatee . . . — — Map (db m72415) HM
Near Braden Castle Drive at Plaza St E, on the left.
Originally constructed in
1929, it reaches out into the
Manatee River more than
600 feet to the
navigable channel.
Destroyed by weather events,
and then rebuilt in 1990,
1993 & 2002. It was
refurbished in 2017 by
many . . . — — Map (db m131205) HM
On 3rd Street West north of 9th Avenue West, on the right when traveling north.
This plot was donated by Major Alden Joseph Adams to the village of Manatee in 1892 "to be used as a burying ground forever." It was first called New Cemetery. Members of pioneer families, including Major Adams, are interred here. The property is . . . — — Map (db m72423) HM
On Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 17th Street East, on the right when traveling east on Manatee Avenue East.
side 1
The first advanced school erected in Manatee County was built about 200 feet east of this site on land deeded 15 August 1876 expressly for education and cultural purposes by Edmund Lee and his third wife, Elizabeth, to Trustees of . . . — — Map (db m72937) HM
On 15th Street East at 5th Avenue East, on the right when traveling west on 15th Street East.
Marker Front: This is one of the oldest organized burying grounds on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The property was deeded on May 30, 1850, and since 1892 only immediate members of families already interred here can be buried in the cemetery. . . . — — Map (db m72424) HM
On 14th Street East at 2nd Avenue East on 14th Street East.
Here flowed a spring which had been used by Indians and was found by Manatee's first white settler, Josiah Gates, who settled nearby in January 1842. It served Branch Fort, when the early settlers camped nearby for protection from the Seminole raid . . . — — Map (db m72422) HM
On 4th Avenue East west of 14th Street East, on the left when traveling west.
Mary Amelia Curry House
circa 1860
This house was placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
September 8, 2015 — — Map (db m218515) HM
On Manatee Ave East south of 14th Street East, on the right.
For generations, Old Cabbage
Head symbolized the Old
Manatee and Bradenton
communities. Children,
who climbed aboard in
play, later watched their
own children pretend there.
In 2006, the Bradenton
Kiwanis Club relocated . . . — — Map (db m131004) HM
On Riverview Boulevard, 0.1 miles east of 59th Street West, on the left when traveling east.
Marker Front:
In 1868, firearms manufacturer James Warner moved his family from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Manatee County, where he hoped to regain his health. He built a home on the shore of the Manatee River about half a mile east . . . — — Map (db m72427) HM
On 9th Avenue Northwest at 86th Street Court Northwest, on the right when traveling west on 9th Avenue Northwest.
(Side 1)
This historic non-denominational church, first known as "The Church in the Wildwood" because of location, was established and constructed in 1886 when Asa Pillsbury, Sr. donated land for a church, cemetery and school to trustees . . . — — Map (db m102973) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW) at 24th Avenue NW, on the right when traveling north.
Riverview Pointe and De Soto National Memorial are part of the Shaw's Point Archeological District. This thirty-five-acre archeological district is on the National Register of Historic Places and preserves a large prehistoric coastal village site . . . — — Map (db m125370) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway (75th Street NW), 0.2 miles north of 24th Avenue NW when traveling north.
Although the origin of the tabby ruins is not known for certain, William H. Shaw is credited with its construction soon after settling here in 1843. The Shaw family lived and worked here until a Seminole Indian uprising in 1856 drove them to Key . . . — — Map (db m125369) HM
Construction of this historic church was started in 1887. Completion was delayed until 1889 due to a yellow fever epidemic which claimed the lives of the pastor and many members of the congregation. Used to house the first Christian congregation . . . — — Map (db m43102) HM
Throughout America, the one-room schoolhouse was a fixture and the educational mainstay for many years.
This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1908 to serve the community of Bunker Hill, which is located in the northeast corner of Manatee . . . — — Map (db m43108) HM
On 15th Street West at 4th Avenue West, on the right when traveling north on 15th Street West.
(Side 1)
This Carnegie Library was built in 1918 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation. It is one of the 1,946 Carnegie Libraries built in the United States under the direction of Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who rose from . . . — — Map (db m81714) HM
On 4th Avenue East east of 12th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
Battles were not fought around the Manatee settlement, but the Civil War brought stress and stain none-the-less. Men went away to war. Union blockades meant that women and children only had flour occasionally – when it was smuggled in – and . . . — — Map (db m218513) HM
Near 17th Street East at 3rd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north.
The Edmund Lee Family Pioneer Cemetery purchased land from Josiah Gates in 1846
here lies:
Mary Guerrero, adopted infant daughter of Miguel and Frederica Guerrero 1868
Rev. James McCarter 1813-1857
Electa Arcotte Lee, first wife 1808-1870 . . . — — Map (db m129567) HM
On Manatee Avenue East (Florida Route 64) at 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east on Manatee Avenue East.
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 . . . — — Map (db m43076) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m43104) HM
Near Manatee Avenue West (Florida Route 64) at 12th Street West, on the left when traveling west.
Chips Shore (1941-2015) was the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller for 38 years (1977-2015). He was very proud to be a native of Manatee County, Florida and loved the outdoor environment that makes our community unique. He knew . . . — — Map (db m217044) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway, 0.3 miles north of 24th Avenue Northwest when traveling north.
Late in the afternoon of May 29, 1539, DeSoto's armada of nine ships rode at anchor in a deep Florida bay. Decks and holds were heavily burdened with 700 men, 350 horses, packs of bloodhounds and Irish greyhounds, a herd of pigs and a profusion . . . — — Map (db m217049) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
named for the marine mammal Trichechus Latirostris, was the main avenue of transportation and communication since the first permanent settlement. All commerce, goods for the early stores, the U.S. Mail, passengers and settlers came into the county . . . — — Map (db m131463) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
This barn is typical of those built by Florida farmers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its design was determined by Florida’s climate which allowed farm animals to stay outside year round. The interior of the barn was used to store seeds, . . . — — Map (db m131302) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East, on the right when traveling east.
A smokehouse was a necessary part of every rural pioneer home in early American history due to the lack of refrigeration for fresh meat storage. As part of the preservation process, cuts of meat, primarily pork and sausage, were hung on racks in the . . . — — Map (db m131207) HM
Near Desoto Memorial Highway, 0.3 miles north of 24th Avenue Northwest when traveling north.
DeSoto was not the first conquistador nor the last to be licensed by the Spanish king to conquer and settle Florida. Three previous attempts had ended in disaster.
The Crown risked little in authorizing private exploration. Under the terms of . . . — — Map (db m217054) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East.
A prime example of the “Cracker Gothic” style, this home was built in 1912 by the Will Stephens family. It is an excellent representation of a Florida rural frame house during the period between the 1870's and World War I. This third . . . — — Map (db m43106) HM
On Manatee Avenue East at 9th Street East, on the right when traveling west on Manatee Avenue East.
Side A The Town of Manatee was officially chartered on June 19, 1903. This intersection of Central Street (present day 9th Street East) and Manatee Avenue became the heart of the town’s business district after the arrival of the Florida West . . . — — Map (db m32409) HM
Restored on the original building site, the Wiggins Store was built by King Wiggins in 1903. The fact that it was one of the areas first brick buildings is significant because, prior to the arrival of the railroad, brick could only be brought in by . . . — — Map (db m43107) HM
On 4th Avenue East west of 14th Street East, on the right when traveling west.
Theodosia Curry Lloyd House
1925
This house was placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
September 8, 2015 — — Map (db m218517) HM
Near Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) at 14th Street East.
The Manatee Village Historical Park was created as a gift to the people of Manatee County by the Historical Commission and the HOME Committee in remembrance of our Nation's Two Hundredth Birthday in the year 1976. Two historical buildings, Manatee . . . — — Map (db m43100) HM
On 17th Avenue NW at 99th Street NW, on the right when traveling west on 17th Avenue NW.
Sometimes, a piece of history is just too valuable to lose. When the Valentine House was in danger of loss due to development, the Preston family of Manatee County stepped in to make a generous donation of this house and a second structure to . . . — — Map (db m241299) HM