Misplaced Pages

#749250

67-574: Longboat Key is a town in Manatee and Sarasota counties along the central west coast of the U.S. state of Florida , located on and coterminous with the barrier island of the same name. Longboat Key is south of Anna Maria Island , between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico . It is almost equally divided between the Manatee and Sarasota counties. The town of Longboat Key was incorporated in 1955 and

134-677: A Carnegie Library in Palmetto in 1914 and another in Bradenton in 1918. For much of the twentieth century, both cities' libraries were free to city residents while county residents had to pay a non-resident fee. In 1964, the Bradenton and Palmetto library associations merged with the Manatee County government to create the Manatee County Public Library System. This was followed by the establishment of

201-510: A post office on Longboat Key, with the entire island having the ZIP code of 34228. The post office was established on October 10, 1907, as "Longbeach", and was located in the community of that name on the north end of the key. On February 1, 1958, the name of the Longbeach post office was changed to Longboat Key. There was also another post office named "Longboat" established on March 27, 1914, in

268-648: A French private equity firm in 2021. The Manatee County Public Library System offers a collection of adult, young adult, and children's materials, as well as a genealogy section and a local history collection in the form of the Eaton Florida History Reading Room. Public computers are available at all library locations. The library also has a digital collection that includes e-books through OverDrive, Inc. and Libby; television shows, movies and more e-books through Hoopla ; and magazines through Flipster; and local images and documents from

335-558: A Republican stronghold following World War II and has remained so since: the last Democrat to win Manatee County was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 . During the peak of the Socialist Party 's prominence in the early 20th century, Manatee County would elect the only socialist to the state legislature , Andrew Jackson Pettigrew to the Florida House of Representatives in 1906 for one term defeating John A. Graham (who

402-547: A bookmobile for rural areas in 1964 and a Talking Books program for the blind in 1966. As demands on the bookmobile grew and the library collection outstripped the existing buildings in Bradenton and Palmetto, the first branch of the Manatee County Public Library system was built in Bayshore in 1967, followed by a new branch on East Ninth Street in 1969 and an Island branch in 1971, the last of which

469-403: A convention site for Sarasota. However, Arvida had no interest in either selling or attempting to finish the hotel. The hotel was torn down between December 1963 and January 1964. Debris from the demolished hotel would be used as fill for the city's civic center and City Island. In early 2024, it was announced that a new public library would be built on Longboat Key. The library is to be a part of

536-466: A female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.78 and the average family size was 2.11. In the town, the population was spread out, with 2.6% under the age of 18, 0.9% from 18 to 24, 5.7% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 58.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

603-585: A landing site, and he was also most likely the first European man to see and explore Sarasota Bay , Boca Ciega Bay and the Manatee River . According to local legend, he believed the Indians were hostile. When the party reached land on the island, the Indians fled leaving their Longboat in a bayou. Pirate Jean Lafitte was said to have been shipwrecked near or on Longboat Key. Prior to 1842, Cuban and Spanish fishermen along with some squatters resided on

670-553: A large amount of land on Longboat Key. In February 1926, Ringling entered a contract to develop a luxury hotel named the Ritz-Carlton on the south side of the island. The hotel was to have 200+ rooms, docking facilities and a railroad leading to it to bring guests there. The hotel began construction in March 1926, with a completion date before December 15, 1926 as specified in the contract. An 18-hole golf course would be built next to

737-412: A majority of Lido Key, along with Bird Key, Otter Key, and Coon Key, at a price of $ 13.5 million. It was expected that the population would be increased by 12,000 extra residents. Some of the land purchased would come from John Ringling North, and on his Longboat Key land included the unfinished Ritz-Carlton Hotel. There was a proposal in 1962 by a Sarasota realtor to finish its construction and make it into

SECTION 10

#1732783690750

804-508: A new East County library, which was to serve the community of Lakewood Ranch. The new library was scheduled to open mid-2023. The new library, dubbed the Lakewood Ranch Library, had its grand opening on January 12, 2024. Manatee County has a county transportation service, MCAT . It serves this county, Pinellas County , and Sarasota County . Manatee County is part of the strongly Republican Sun Belt . The area became

871-597: A new building in 1997. The Rocky Bluff location would be moved to a larger location, featuring a built in café, in 2011. The new location is still physically within Ellenton. The additions as well as investment into various technologies such as modern computers, a 3-D Printing Lab, as well as new loanable items, brings Manatee County Libraries to its modern services. Reciprocal borrowing began in 2000 between Manatee and Sarasota County Libraries, which would be followed by statewide reciprocal borrowing programs. Starting in 2017,

938-400: A passage being dug in 1895 from Sarasota Bay to Tampa Bay , steamships and paddle boats could access the island. Soon, a mail service was established that brought residents mail from Cortez . Thomas Mann sold his land in 1898 to May and June Pointevesant of Ocean Springs, Mississippi . Longboat Key's first post office was established in 1907 at Byron Corey's pier at the southern end of

1005-400: A segregated beach for African-Americans on the island was a motivator behind incorporating it. By incorporating the entire key, they could somehow avoid the placement of the beach altogether. Residents also held meetings protesting the beach's placement. Significant arguments against incorporation were that property taxes would go up. After doing the incorporation vote, Will LePage was elected as

1072-406: A significant farming presence, with local residents growing a variety of products. A 1912 Sarasota Times headline read: "From a lonely Key, it is now a center of trucking and fruit growing." In 1921, the key lost most of its agricultural land and buildings during a hurricane. That same year, the island was split between two counties, Sarasota and Manatee. Starting in 1923, John Ringling purchased

1139-427: A statue walk that features works originally purchased by John Ringling. Ringling's love of fine art inspired The Save Our Statues project which was undertaken during 2007 and completed in early 2008. Additional beautification efforts including on-going maintenance of the statues and landscaping generally consistent with John Ringling's 1920s landscape plans. St. Armands Circle branches off into different directions with

1206-556: A temporary card upon payment of a $ 25.00 annual fee. Manatee County participates in the Little Free Library program. There are several Little Free Libraries at parks and other public places around the county. Manatee County's first public library was a privately owned rental library created by Julia Fuller at the Mrs. Bass Dry Goods store in 1898. The county's first independent library opened in Bradenton in 1907, followed

1273-511: A work boat. John Ringling financed the construction of a bridge connecting the key to the mainland and became the first person to drive across it in 1926. St. Armands Key features a large traffic circle with a small park in the center. The traffic circle is known as St. Armands Circle or "The Circle." The area is largely commercial, containing more than 130 stores and restaurants. The circle contains many restaurants, tobacco shops, clothing stores, and other retail outlets. The Circle also features

1340-504: Is located north of St. Armands Key , with its circle of shopping and dining, and Lido Key , and south of Bradenton Beach , Holmes Beach , and Anna Maria , which are located on the adjacent Anna Maria Island . The nearby cities of Sarasota and Bradenton and the Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport rounds out Longboat Key's varied list of geographic amenities. State Road 789 (Gulf of Mexico Drive) runs

1407-469: Is only accessible via boat and the eastern part of the key is a nature reserve. Electricity is provided via underwater cables and there are no landline phone lines to the key. Residents of the island get water from wells and use septic tanks. Until the 1930s, Jewfish Key was two islands: Pickett Key to the north and Fisherman's Key located to the south. When the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged

SECTION 20

#1732783690750

1474-523: Is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The town's population was 7,505 at the 2020 census, up from 6,888 at the 2010 census. Longboat Key was originally inhabited by Native Americans . The area of what is now Longboat Key was scouted by Juan de Añasco who was the first known European to explore the key and Hernando De Soto's as his scout. He spent about two months attempting to find

1541-533: The 2020 United States census , there were 7,505 people, 3,939 households, and 2,696 families residing in the town. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 6,888 people, 3,780 households, and 2,595 families residing in the town. As of the census of 2000, there were 7,603 people, 4,280 households, and 2,846 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,546.4 inhabitants per square mile (597.1/km). There were 8,834 housing units at an average density of 1,796.8 per square mile (693.7/km). In 2000,

1608-612: The American Civil War he served the Union under the 7th Minnesota Infantry Regiment . Mann and his family moved to what is known today as Bradenton in 1872. He left because of either a local yellow fever epidemic or prejudice against him from being from the Northern United States. Mann died in 1908 in nearby Cortez . His son, James, claimed 143.5 acres (58 ha) south of his father's land in 1891. With

1675-634: The Longboat Key News . Currently, Longboat Key is located within two Florida counties , Manatee County in the north and Sarasota County in the south. There have been calls for the Florida Legislature to pursue an initiative to create a 68th county, "Longboat Key County," to simplify governance of the island. Neither of these initiatives is likely to be passed, however. As of February 2019, Longboat Key officials had not started any comprehensive effort to put Longboat in one county or

1742-576: The Panic of 1837 . They were said to have heard that there was abundant land in the area. The brothers moved into a log cabin five miles north of the mouth of the Manatee River. Four years later Hector drowned while trying to cross the Manatee River on his horse during a hurricane. Despite this tragic event, Joseph decided he would still build the Braden sugar mill at the mouth of the Manatee River and

1809-612: The Sarasota County Library System . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 16.0 square miles (41.4 km), of which 4.1 square miles (10.7 km) is land and 11.9 square miles (30.7 km), or 74.19%, of which is water. The exact coordinates for the town is located at 27°23′49″N 82°38′41″W  /  27.39694°N 82.64472°W  / 27.39694; -82.64472 . Longboat Key

1876-621: The Tampa Bay estuary, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge , and the Manatee River . The area now known as Manatee County had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. Shell middens and other archaeological digs have been conducted throughout the county including at Terra Ceia and at Perico Island . These digs revealed materials belonging to peoples from the Woodland period . Some historians have suggested that

1943-462: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 893 square miles (2,310 km ), of which 743 square miles (1,920 km ) is land and 150 square miles (390 km ) (17%) is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 399,710 people, 150,345 households, and 99,157 families residing in the county. By age, the population was spread out as such: 4.6% under 5 years old, 18.0% under 18 years old, and 28.1% 65 years and over. 51.7% of

2010-468: The U.S. state of Florida . As of the 2020 U.S. Census , the population was 399,710. Manatee County is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . Its county seat and largest city is Bradenton . The county was created in 1855 and named for the Florida manatee , Florida's official marine mammal . Features of Manatee County include access to the southern part of

2077-451: The poverty line , including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over. The town of Longboat Key has a commission-manager form of government . The Mayor of Longboat Key is elected for a two-year long term by the town commission consisting of seven members who serve two-year terms each. Two of the members of the town commission under the town charter are elected for at-large seats. The United States Postal Service operates

Longboat Key, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue

2144-423: The 1880s, because a hurricane hit the area and destroyed most of Longboat Key. The only thing known is that Charles Abbe had a plantation at an unknown location on the island where citrus and pineapples were grown. The first people of European descent to claim land on the island were Colin and Rowlin W. Witt, claiming 7.15 acres (2.89 ha) on the north end of the island in 1882. Several others would claim land on

2211-764: The Braden River. He later built a dock where Main Street was and fortified the area near his house by building a stockade. A few years later in 1851, he built the Braden Castle, which was made out of tabby and served as his residence. In spring of 1856, the fortified home was attacked by Seminole Indians during the Third Seminole War . It later became a popular tourist attraction in the early 1900s with Tin Can Tourists . He would only stay there for

2278-709: The Confederate supply chain. For example, in August 1864, the Union schooner USS Stonewall came up the Manatee river on a raid. According to the Florida State Archives, Dr. Braden's sugar works was destroyed during the raid. However, another source states that Braden's property was left untouched. According to a partial list of soldiers of the Confederate States of America, the county also sent at least 100 of its citizens to fight. Some of

2345-540: The Intracoastal Waterway they needed a place to deposit the spoil; and the two owners (whose last names were Jordan and Zeisse) allowed for the spoil to be placed in order to make a single island in exchange for a deed to this now one island and "a case of whisky". The island's name comes from when local fishermen started calling the island Jewfish Key because they caught large amounts of Goliath groupers or Jewfish there. A perennial problem for Longboaters

2412-526: The Manatee County library system began offering items including musical instruments, tools, telescopes, binoculars, cake pans, hotspots, and museum passes. During the COVID-19 Pandemic , the library system began offering WiFi hotspots to patrons in order to provide internet service remotely to work safely and at home. This began in Spring of 2020. On December 15, 2021, the county broke ground for

2479-670: The Sarasota County portion of the key, but it was discontinued on January 14, 1922, and its functions were assumed by the Sarasota post office. The quasi-governmental form of the condominium association exists in one of its most complex forms in and on Longboat Key, consisting of the Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums. Longboat Key is served by two newspapers published year-round, the Longboat Observer and

2546-527: The first mayor, along with the first eight members of the Board of Aldermen. At the time, only about a third of Longboat Key was developed, and roughly 215 people lived on the key. When the town was incorporated, it changed its name from Longbeach to Longboat Key. In 1959, the Arvida Corporation created by Arthur Vining Davis purchased 2,000 acres, which included the southern half of Longboat Key,

2613-464: The hotel as well. Ringling found himself preoccupied with other financial interests, and during that year the Florida land boom began to slow down as well. In November he ordered construction to be stopped on the hotel, and later claimed he would resume construction, but never did. There were no roads that led to the key until 1929, when a bridge was built to St. Armands . A bridge across Longboat Pass

2680-469: The hotel remained in its then-current state. By 1939 or 1940, telephone service was brought to the North End. Longboat Key got its first newspaper, Gulf Gale , in 1941; it would run until 1944. In World War II , Longboat Key had a bombing range. In 1942, it was used by B-26 planes, and from 1943 to 1945 by P-40 and P-51 planes. The range was used between 8am and 5pm, which meant that residents on

2747-426: The island during the late 1800s, but none of them are known to have lived on the island permanently. In 1884, Thomas Mann claimed 144.5 acres (58 ha) on the key. He and his family moved there in 1888, becoming the first known permanent residents on the key. His home was located somewhere on the north end of the key. Mann was a carpenter by trade who was originally from Indiana and later moved to Minnesota. During

Longboat Key, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue

2814-455: The island in 1893. His name was misspelled in land deeds, and this misspelled name is still used today. Circus magnate John Ringling purchased the St. Armands Key property in 1917 and planned a development which included residential lots and a shopping center laid out in a circle. As no bridge to the key had yet been built, Ringling engaged an old paddle-wheel steamboat, the "Success," to service as

2881-485: The island, where he owned 153.5 acres (62 ha) of land beginning in 1903. Corey also served as Longboat Key's first postmaster. The post office on the sound end lasted until 1921, when it was destroyed by a hurricane. During the 1910s, the key saw a surge in development and changes to it. The Pointevesants sold their land to Rufus Perry Jordan and Annie Jordan in May 1911. Rufus laid out a community named Longbeach , filling

2948-555: The island. A fishing camp and a trading post for Native Americans existed in the northern part of the key located in what is presently the Longboat Village. At the time, the area was referred to on maps as "Saraxola" and "Zarazote". An 1839 map compiled by order of General Zachary Taylor during the Second Seminole War called the island Palm Island. There is little known about the island after 1848 and until

3015-599: The late nineteenth century to the early 1980s. [1] The libraries also offer author luncheons, children's story times, summer reading programs, job fairs, and book discussion groups. The library system serves the county in seven locations: In September 2021, a seventh branch was approved by county commissioners, to be built in Lakewood Ranch. The library's grand opening was on January 12th, 2024. Library cards are free to those who reside, own property, attend school, or work in Manatee County. Non-residents may obtain

3082-436: The length of the island, with ancillary boulevards branching off to residential neighborhoods. From some locations one can see both Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico . At other points the island widens and accommodates various homes owned by both singly and in condominiums, hotels, and sports clubs. Some Longboat Key residents are " snowbirds ", who vacation at or own second homes on Longboat Key, and are present only during

3149-654: The men from Manatee would be recruited to the 7th Florida Infantry Regiment , which fought as part of the Army of Tennessee . Within Manatee County is the Gamble Plantation , a sugar plantation and home of Major Robert Gamble. According to some, following the Civil War, the Confederate Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin , took refuge at the mansion before escaping to England. According to

3216-475: The new county seat by referendum of the county residents who mostly resided near the Manatee River. In 1921, Sarasota County was created by the Florida Legislature and further reducing Manatee County to its current boundaries. Following the Seminole Wars, Manatee County continued to grow both in population and in economic output. Cattle, hogs, and some sheep were raised. Processed sugar and molasses

3283-485: The next six years before moving to Tallahassee . Manatee County was carved out from a vast Hillsborough County in January 1855 and led by Florida Senate President Hamlin V. Snell . The new county covered 5,000 square miles and included all of what are now Charlotte County , DeSoto County , Glades County , Hardee County , Highlands County , Sarasota County , and part of Lee County . The original county seat

3350-410: The northern side of the island could not go south of it until after its training sessions. On November 13, 1955, the town was incorporated by a 186–13 vote at a meeting in a fire station. The meeting itself lasted for 3 hours and 10 minutes in total. Reasons for supporting incorporation included that Longboat Key could have more say in its governmental affairs. It is also believed that the placement of

3417-548: The other. Officials did, however, ask state legislators to request the Florida Legislature's OPPAGA perform an analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of moving into only one county. In recent years, it has been suggested to declare Longboat Key a national seashore , a public land operated by the National Park Service . Manatee County, Florida Manatee County is a county in

SECTION 50

#1732783690750

3484-473: The plat in November 1911. During 1913, another subdivision named Shore Acres that covered 170 acres of land was developed at the "narrowest" part of the island, and was finished by the next year. Another community was also started at about the same time, named Island Beach , located south of it. Longbeach gained its own post office in 1914. During the early 1900s and prior to the 1921 hurricane, Longboat Key had

3551-456: The population was female. The median income for a household in the county was $ 59,963 in 2020 dollars and a per capita income in the past 12 months of $ 35,146. There was a reported 10.9% of the population living in poverty. Bealls of Florida has its headquarters and was founded 1915 in unincorporated Manatee County. Tropicana was founded in Manatee County in the 1950s. Tropicana was bought by PepsiCo in 2001. PepsiCo sold Tropicana to

3618-437: The racial makeup of the town was 99.24% White , 0.07% African American , 0.08% Native American , 0.43% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.01% from other races , and 0.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.67% of the population. In 2000, there were 4,280 households, out of which 3.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 1.4% had

3685-574: The same position unsuccessfully losing to A.T. Cornwell (also a Democrat) who had served as Bradenton's first mayor and in a variety of positions at the county level. Pettigrew would later go on to run for governor in 1908 and Secretary of Agriculture in 1912 being unsuccessful in both races. In 1970, Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. fired Manatee County's superintendent along with the entire school board and appointed himself in their place in an attempt to end desegregation busing . This situation would last from April 6 to 13 before Kirk left his position as

3752-653: The southern mouth of the Manatee River was the landing site of the De Soto Expedition . Due to conflict during the Patriot War and First Seminole War , many Native American and African American refugees fled to the Tampa Bay region of Florida and some settled in modern-day Manatee County. The settlement they founded on the Manatee River was called Angola . By 1819, the population of Angola may have reached as high as 600-700 people. The Manatee area

3819-528: The southern part of the island. In 1937, John Ringling North , the head of the estate of John Ringling, who had died in 1936, announced that Martin Sweeney had an interest in finishing the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Sweeney said the hotel would have two 18 hole golf courses, an airport, a club and facilities for fishing, along with 235 rooms when completed. However, these plans would never transpire and

3886-620: The superintendent. Unincorporated Manatee County is served by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office . Manatee County is a part of the Twelfth Circuit Court of Florida . Manatee County is part of the Second District of Appeals . The Board of Commissioners includes the following: Information as of March 12, 2024. St. Armands Key A Frenchman named Charles St. Amand bought property on

3953-657: The winter months. Others are homesteaders, utilizing the various homestead exemptions provided to Florida citizens who own and occupy their principal residences within the state, as set forth under the Florida Constitution. Most of the Gulf side of Longboat Key consists of beaches. The southernmost area of the key is mostly part of the Longboat Key Club. Jewfish Key is an island that covers 38 acres (150,000 m) located within city limits. The island

4020-420: Was 68 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $ 290,251, and the median income for a family was $ 307,983. Males had a median income of $ 261,157 versus $ 230,104 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 280,963. About 0.4% of families and 0.9% of the population were below

4087-403: Was Manatee, a village on the southern shore of the Manatee River in what now is eastern Bradenton. In 1866, the county seat was moved from the village of Manatee to Pine Level , as a result of a referendum mandated by the Florida Legislature. In 1887, the county seat was moved again due to the creation of DeSoto County within the existing boundaries. Braiden Town ( Bradenton ) was selected as

SECTION 60

#1732783690750

4154-453: Was a Democrat) in the general election. As a state legislator he would make several proposals that were inline with what the Party reflected at the national level such as making US Senators popularly elected and creating a national income tax. Overall as a state legislator he would make little progress in getting legislation proposed by him passed. Prior to the 1906 race he would run in 1904 for

4221-454: Was built in April 1929 and would exist until March 1932. Starting in 1935, a former Chicago insurance agent named Gordon Whitney started buying up property to construct a series of cottages on the northern end of the island. The area was given the name of Whitney Beach. Whitney intended to have the cottages serve as part of a resort. In 1936, for the first time, telephone service was brought to

4288-485: Was moved into a new building in 1983. A new building for the Palmetto Library was built in 1969, followed by the modern Central Public Library in downtown Bradenton in 1978. The 1990s saw a period of rapid growth in Manatee County and the library system grew accordingly, with the Braden River, Rocky Bluff, and South Manatee branches opening in 1991, 1994, and 1998, respectively. The Braden River branch moved to

4355-547: Was opened to settlement in 1842 with the passing of the federal Armed Occupation Act . Early settlements included the Manatee Colony led by Colonel Samuel Reid that numbered thirty-one individuals both black and white. Other prominent early settlers were Joseph and Hector Braden who moved into an area near the Manatee River in 1842. The two had lost their land for their plantations in Northern Florida during

4422-570: Was produced and exported. This agricultural economy, like much of the south, was increasingly becoming reliant on slave labor. A federal census in 1860 showed that the county had a population of 601 white people and 214 enslaved black people. After the outbreak of the American Civil War , Manatee County provided supplies to the Confederate army. Aside from the Union blockade , the Federal army dispatched raiding parties throughout Florida to further limit

4489-573: Was water quantity and quality. Salinity and sedimentary factors threatened the availability of potable water to island residents, visitors, and businesses. This problem was alleviated sufficiently when the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District approved a connection to Sarasota County's water supply, augmenting the existing connection to that of Manatee County. As of

#749250