Introducing Palmetto:
- Located In: Manatee County
- Population: 12,571 (Source: U.S. Census 2000)
- Community Type: Single-family residential
- Size: 4.4 square miles
- Government: Strong mayor and five-member city commission/mayor is elected and serves 4-year term; three commissioners are elected by the electors of their respective wards and two commissioners are elected at large by the populace of the city for a term of four years.
- Zip Codes: 34220-34221
History of Palmetto:
The first settlers in the area arrived in the mid-1800s when shippers and yachtsmen alike discovered the beauty of the mile-wide Manatee River. The city of Palmetto traces its history to the arrival of Samuel Sparks Lamb who named the community after his home state, South Carolina, the “Palmetto State.” The city was incorporated in 1897.
The railroad first came to Palmetto in 1902, changing the face of the town as contractors found a steady supply of bricks and other building materials. Over time, Palmetto gained a reputation for its abundant fruit and vegetable production.
Things To Do In Palmetto:
Palmetto Historical Park is home to Palmetto’s first post office, built in 1880; the Carnegie Library, built in 1914; a schoolhouse that dates back to about 1935; and the Manatee County Agricultural Museum.
City parks, such as Riverside Park East and West, offer scenic green spaces and recreational opportunities.
The Palmetto Estuary, where visitors enjoy nature viewing, acts as an important fish and wildlife habitat in a rapidly growing area of the Tampa Bay waterfront.
Dining In Palmetto:
- Crab Trap, 5611 U.S. Highway 19
- Kojak’s Palmetto Rib House, 1631 8th Ave. W.
- Mangrove Grill, 102 Riviera Dunes Way
- Riverside Café, 955 Riverside Drive
- Seagrape Restaurant, 2802 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd.
What Makes Palmetto Special:
Though located in the midst of some of the most populous areas in Florida, Palmetto maintains its small town charm as well as its connection to natural Florida.
The Palmetto Estuary Park, a 20-acre site easily accessible from U.S. Highway 41 at Seventh Street West, is refreshingly tranquil and picturesque. The estuary consists of a large mangrove swamp which is visited regularly by wading birds such as Roseate spoonbill, limpkin, little blue heron, snowy egret, white ibis and wood stork. Guests will find picnic areas, restrooms, park benches, nature trails, wildlife observation areas and a fishing pier.
Palmetto preserves its association with its agricultural past. Each year in November, the city celebrates its heritage with Farm City Week, culminating in the annual Tomato Festival.