Things were different on Anna Maria (then pronounced Mar-EYE-ah) Island in the old days. Within the lifetimes of our eldest residents, there was no bridge leading to the Island, and people took a ferry across the Intracoastal Waterway. Even earlier, they arrived at the Anna Maria City Pier by steamship from Tampa. Ladies’ swimsuits included hats. Roads were made of seashells.
But some things remain the same, like the surf, the sand, the sun, and the postcard sentiment, “Wish you were here.”
Romie Hall seeks some shade on Anna Maria Island circa 1947-48, posted by her daughter, Toni Herdman, on the “Florida, See it Like a Native” Facebook page.
Anna Maria Beach walk from Tampa Bay to Gulf of Mexico, postmarked March 30, 1912
Gulfside bath house, Anna Maria Beach
Commercial fishermen, Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Pier, Anna Maria
Mira-Mar Pavilion, Bradenton Beach
Anna Maria Island Bridge, Bradenton Beach
Bradenton Beach business district
Anna Maria Beach surf bathing
Manatee Beach, Holmes Beach
Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach
Anna Maria City Pier
Rod and Reel Motel, Anna Maria
Roser Church, Anna Maria
Air-conditioned jail, Anna Maria, Florida
Air view, Anna Maria, Florida
A Fisherman’s Paradise on Anna Maria Island, Florida
Visit Charlie the pelican, Anna Maria, Florida
New bridge from Cortez to Bradenton Beach
Our mail man, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Popular fun on the beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Tropical view, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Two hours catch trolling, near dock, Anna Maria Beach, Florida
Anna Maria Beach is the greatest fishing resort on the Gulf Coast
Mackerel fishing in Gulf waters, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Island Bank, Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach Yacht Club, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Fishing pier, Anna Maria Island, Florida
Fishermen’s Pier, Bradenton Beach, Florida
Excursion steamer Favorite at Anna Maria Key, Fla.
Basket picnic under the palms, Anna Maria Beach
Bradenton Beach Tourist Guide cover
The Holmes Beach airstrip was located in the present-day city field.
Some postcards donated to the Manatee County Historical Records Library by Rev. Herbert Loomis and in the private collection of Keith Otzen.
HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are working to keep property taxes as low as possible despite property values increasing an estimated 11.8%. To do that, they’re planning to keep the millage rate at 2.05 mills for the coming fiscal year and cut expenses from the proposed 2024-25...
PALMETTO - Prompted by a 2021 lawsuit by multiple conservation groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has agreed to allow more oversight of discharges from the Piney Point phosphate facility.
The settlement agreement also establishes enforceable limits on pollution discharged into Tampa Bay and provides for...
ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island community is coming out in support of Mackenzie Morgan, Jonathan Anasis, their 3 1/2-month-old son, River Anasis, and their young daughter, Vayda Anasis.
On July 13, the Rise Up for River Benefit: A Community Rally for Hope and Healing event took...
HOLMES BEACH – City elected officials are discussing with Manatee County tourism officials whether to add a Gulf Island Ferry stop in Holmes Beach.
Currently, Manatee County’s contracted ferry service stops in downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier, with an additional stop...
MANATEE COUNTY – During a recent Supervisor of Elections debate, candidate James Satcher refused to acknowledge he’s using Anthony Pedicini as his political consultant.
Manatee County Commission candidates Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Ray Turner are also utilizing the campaign consulting services of Pedicini and his Tampa-based Strategic Image...
Anna Maria
10005 Gulf Drive
For information, call 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
July 18, 1 p.m. – City Commission budget meeting
July 18, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting
July 24, 9 a.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting
July 25, 5 p.m. – City Commission budget...
Wednesday, July 17
One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Sharks and rays conservation research, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
Thursday, July 18
One-on-one Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.
Wild About Wildlife, Island Branch...
Realtor.com is part of my everyday life. I check it for new listings, sold listings, open houses and sometimes just to look at the pictures on what may be an otherwise slow day.
Sometimes I even learn something I didn’t know, like their recent story about the 10...
Taking care when we release fish we don’t intend to keep has never been more important. While most anglers are aware that fish populations are vulnerable and not the endless resource we once thought them to be, shrinking habitats and fish populations make the process all the...
ANNA MARIA – More than 100 beachgoers saw an uncommon sight when a nesting loggerhead sea turtle laid her eggs during the day on June 26, the second daytime nesting in a week.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers posted photos and the following on...