Bradenton is a small city that is flush with culture. Nestled in west-central Florida, Bradenton was founded in the 1840s and was named for an early settler, Joseph Braden. Braden planted sugar and built a castle/fortified house there that remains, albeit in ruin.
Bradenton developed as a winter resort and shipping center for farm produce. It was incorporated in 1903 and became a full-fledged city in 1947 after it merged with Manatee, its neighbor to the east. Currently, Bradenton’s economy thrives off of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, seafood production, and shipping.
Fact Facts About Bradenton
Did you know that the Village of the Arts in Bradenton is Florida’s largest live/work art community with more than 30 businesses residing in the area? Furthermore, the Cortez Historic Fishing Village is the oldest working fishing village in Florida. Bradenton is also home to six blue wave-certified beaches: Anna Maria Beach, Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach, Holmes Beach, Manatee Beach, and Whitney Beach.
When you stroll through Bradenton, you’ll notice something a bit peculiar – the air smells of oranges. This is because of the nearby Tropicana plant. When the plant burns the orange peels the smells waft through the area.
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Did You Know?
Did you know that Bradenton is surrounded by water on all sides, both fresh and salt? The city is located on the south bank of the Manatee River and it is separated from the outer barrier island beaches by the Intracoastal Waterway. Those island beaches include Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Longboat Key. Additionally, Bradenton is the access point for more than 20 miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
Other facts about Bradenton include:
- Historic downtown Bradenton is located on the west side of the city.
- The tallest building in Bradenton is the 12-story Bradenton Financial Center.
- Bradenton was recognized as one of the top 10 cities in the nation for working artists, by Art Calendar.
- Bradenton’s downtown features an abundance of museums, historic buildings, restaurants, and shops.
- Bradenton was originally named Bradentown before it merged with Manatee.
- Anna Maria Island is considered the Greenest Little Main Street in America.
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