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.”
Some postcards donated to the Manatee County Historical Records Library by Rev. Herbert Loomis and in the private collection of Keith Otzen.
ANNA MARIA – The outcome of the removal of 116 feet of mangroves to build a seawall at a Gull Drive home may have been different if the property had been located in Sarasota County instead of Manatee County.
A contractor removed some of the mangroves prior to...
CORTEZ – The closing of Bunny & Pirates Bazaar is imminent, but not by the choice of owners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell.
The news of the closing was announced by the two business owners on Facebook on March 16, two days after a notice to vacate was...
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has responded to a March 5 request for information from OPPAGA regarding the potential consolidation and annexation of the city into Manatee County.
The cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach received similar requests from the Office of Program Policy...
HOLMES BEACH - For the second year in a row, the Anna Maria Island community has shown incredible support for the Island Branch Library. The Friends of the Island Library (FIL), a group of volunteers dedicated to fundraising and support for the library, held their second annual...
BRADENTON BEACH – Family and friends joyously celebrated the life and legacy of longtime Bradenton Beach resident and honorary Privateer Ellen Scott at the Drift In on Saturday, March 16. Ellen passed away on March 1 at the age of 85.
Ellen’s son, Bob Slicker, thanked those in...
ANNA MARIA – The city is increasing its occupancy-based annual vacation rental registration fee from $84.17 to $93.92 per occupant allowed by the local vacation rental ordinance.
The annual registration fee is established each year by the adoption of a city commission-approved resolution. The increased fees were established...
BRADENTON BEACH – The park across the street from city hall, referred to only as City Park, will be renamed after longtime City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh.
The discussion of the naming of the beach access park just south of the Beach House parking lot was introduced at the...
During bird nesting season, March through August, please follow these tips:
Never touch a shorebird chick, even if it’s wandering outside a staked nesting area.
Teach kids not to chase birds – if they’re disturbed, bird parents may abandon nests.
Don’t feed birds – our food is...
Anna Maria
10005 Gulf Drive
For information, call 941-708-6130
Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.
March 21, 1 p.m. – Charter Review meeting
March 28, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting
March 29, all day – City offices closed, Good Friday
Bradenton Beach
107 Gulf Drive N.
For information, call 941-778-1005
Please visit...