Manatee County Public Library Historical Digital Collections
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Trail Marker at De Soto National Memorial
No full textA view of the trail marker at the De Soto National Memorial. In 1939, this granite marker was commissioned by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America as part of the 400th anniversary of the De Soto landing. The marker reads "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". The monument and surrounding acreage were donated to the federal government by Dr. Lourie W, Blake and Dr. W.D. Sugg, and the site was authorized as a national memorial on March 11, 1948. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service, the memorial was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The park features walking trails as well as the living history camp of Uzita. The visitor center houses a theater which provides a film about Hernando De Soto's landing
Snooty and Newton Getting Along
No full textA shot of Snooty getting along and playing with his new poolmate Newton. Newton was the first manatee that Snooty lived with since he lost his mother in 1949
Sue Kinnan, photo for Feature article
No full textSue Kinnan, wife of Harry Kinnan, is pictured. She was a teacher at Manatee High School for a number of years. She was featured in an article about what people in community were reading
Longboat Key
No full textThis image depicts Longboat Key looking north from Lido Key. To the left of the image is the Gulf of Mexico and to the right of the image is the Sarasota Bay. In the forefront of the image is the Sands Point Condominium and Longboat Key Golf Club. Archaeological evidence suggests that Longboat Key was utilized for fishing for up to 2000 years by Native Americans. It is believed that the name of the island may stem from the longboats used by Spanish fishermen during the early 1800s. In 1880, the first non-native people settled on Longboat Key and at the northern end of the island a small community developed which was known as Longbeach. By the early 1900s, the island was home to about 20 families and it continued to grow throughout the 20th century. The Town of Longboat Key was officially incorporated in 1955 and the island is part of both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Today Longboat Key is well-known for its beaches and is a popular vacation spot for visitors. This postcard is courtesy of Manatee County Historical Records Library
Longboat Key
No full textThe back of the card reads, "Greeting from Longboat Key, an island paradise located on Florida's West Coast." Longboat Key is an island located just south of Anna Maria Island which is part of both Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Archaeological evidence suggests that Longboat Key was utilized for fishing for up to 2000 years by Native Americans. It is believed that the name of the island may stem from the longboats used by Spanish fishermen during the early 1800s. In 1880, the first non-native people settled on Longboat Key and at the northern end of the island a small community developed which was known as Longbeach. By the early 1900s, the island was home to about 20 families and it continued to grow throughout the 20th century. The Town of Longboat Key was officially incorporated in 1955 and the island is part of both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Today Longboat Key is well known for its beaches and is a popular vacation spot for visitors. This postcard is courtesy of Manatee County Historical Records Library
Anna Maria Island
No full textThe back of the card reads, "Anna Maria Island. Sun and laid back fun on the West Coast." This image depicts an aerial view of Anna Maria Island looking north from the southern end of Holmes Beach. The pier jutting into the Gulf of Mexico in the center of the image was the Manatee Public Beach pier, which was built in 1963 and demolished in 2009. Archaeological evidence suggests that Native Americans have been utilizing Anna Maria Island for fishing and hunting for over 2000 years. It was also used by Spanish and Cuban fishermen. It is believed that the island is named for sister-in-law Anna and wife Maria of the island's first settler, Tampa mayor Madison Post, who temporarily lived on the island. In the forefront of the image is Bean Point, named for Anna Maria Island's earliest known permanent resident, George Emerson Bean. Bean's son, George Bean, partnered with island resident Charles Roser to form the Anna Maria Beach Company, responsible for the island's early development. Today Anna Maria Island is home to more than 10,000 residents and is a popular site for fishing and beachgoing. To the left of the image, you can see the Anna Maria Sound. The piers jutting into the water are the Rod & Reel Pier and Anna Maria City Pier. To the right of the image is the Gulf of Mexico. This postcard was donated to the library by Willis Arnold
Maybelle "Polly" Taylor
No full textPortrait view of young Maybelle "Polly" Taylor. she grew up to become Mrs A.K. Whitaker
Barbara Harvey, candidate for Manatee County School Board
No full textA portrait of Barbara Harvey, Manatee County educator. Harvey won a seat on the school board in 1998, and subsequently served there for 15 years. She was later honored when a new school was named for her in 2019
Dr Willis Harris 1998 Manatee County Distinguished Citizen
No full textDr. Willis Harris speaks in front of the county administration building. Dr. Harris was honored as Manatee County's Distinguished Citizen award. At his death in 2009, he was the longest-serving physician in Manatee County, and was present when more than 3,500 babies were born between 1946 and 1973. He also helped to create Manatee Memorial Hospital in 1953, and volunteered there after retirement
Bradenton Skyline at Bradenton City Hall
No full textA look at the Bradenton skyline with Bradenton City Hall, still under construction, at center