Introducing Anna Maria:
- Located In: Manatee County
- Population: 1,814 (Source: U.S. Census 2000)
- Community Type: Beach residential
- Size: 1 square mile
- Government: Commission and mayor/mayor and five commissioners are elected for two-year staggered terms.
- Zip Codes: 34216
History of Anna Maria:
George Emerson Bean became the first settler on Anna Maria Island in the area that would become the city of Anna Maria. He built his home near the modern-day Rod and Reel Pier in 1893 and homesteaded 140 acres from the North Point to what is now Magnolia Avenue. His son, George W. Bean, joined John Roser to form the Anna Maria Beach Company which began to develop the area, adding streets, sidewalks and a water system.
In 1911, before a bridge connected the island to the mainland, a dock was built at the north end of Pine Avenue.
The city was incorporated in 1925. Captain Mitch Davis served as its first mayor.
Things To Do In Anna Maria:
Anna Maria is mainly known for its world class beaches, its friendly residents and a laid-back lifestyle reminiscent of old Florida. No visit would be complete without a visit to Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., where Bean’s Point, named after the island’s first homesteader, can be found. Also on the north end of the island is the historic Anna Maria City Pier, built in 1912. The pier has survived several hurricanes. Fishing is a favorite activity in Anna Maria.
Dining In Anna Maria:
- The Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave.
- City Pier Restaurant,100 S. Bay Blvd.
- Ginny’s and Jane E.s’ at the Old IGA, 9807 Gulf Drive
- Matt and Dom’s Pastry Café, 9701 Gulf Drive
- Waterfront Restaurant, 111 Bay Blvd. S.
What Makes Anna Maria Special:
Somewhat more relaxed and homey than many other beach communities in the Tampa Bay area, Anna Maria takes great pride in its heritage and its wildlife. The entire city is a bird sanctuary boasting many species of water and shore birds. It’s not unusual to see bottlenose dolphins and manatees in the waters of Anna Maria, and the beach serves as prime nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. Many city residents actively participate in protecting this endangered creature.
Anna Maria never allowed itself to succumb to the temptation of expanding its tourist trade beyond the small city’s capacity. Visiting Anna Maria is like vacationing in the Florida of the 1950s, before towering modern beachside resorts and tourist traps eclipsed the natural charm of barrier island communities.