Bradenton has tales to tell. History oozes out of the sand and puffs up old locomotive smokestacks.
Ah, yesteryear. No air conditioning. No Interstates. How did they make it through the day?
Find out at Manatee Village Historical Park. Thirteen wooden buildings and a tender cab called “Old Cabbage Head” were moved to this site joining an existing brick building called Wiggins Store.
King Wiggins built the brick two-story store in 1903, five miles from the Manatee River, the village’s lifeline. Some folks came just to gaze at the bricks. A brick building was a big deal. Before the railroad arrived, all bricks came in the holds of boats.
Many made several days journey to Wiggins Store for groceries, dry goods and gadgets and catching up on gossip, networking, playing checkers – you get the picture. This was a happening place.
Over the years the building changed hands and recycled its functions – becoming a barbershop, hotel, apartments, migrant housing then condemned in 1983. Through extensive fund-raising and restoration the Wiggins Store reopened to the public in 1990.
Step into a general store with merchandise from the turn of the century. Visit the Whistle Stop Gift Shop behind the general store that carries an extensive collection of books all about local history.
Even sit outside and play checkers using bottle caps for checkers. But the day we visited not enough bottle caps to make two sides for a game.
Old church is popular for weddings
So we moved on to the Old Meeting House, a lovely church with the rich aroma of very old, well cared for heart pine. Donated by the United Manatee Methodist Church, this church is a popular wedding venue.
In a small ready room behind the sanctuary, where bridal parties convene for last minute prep and anxiety, there is a sign saying:
“Everything you say can be heard in the sanctuary.”
Oh my!
Once upon a time, in the mid-1800s, Manatee County encompassed 5,000 square miles. Later the land spun off into the counties of Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte and Glades.
The Stephens House, a historic house example of Cracker Gothic architecture, built in 1912, was on the family homestead in what is now Hardee County. In 1982 it was cut into five pieces and move to the historical park.
Are you a fan of Florida Cracker architecture? Then pencil in Thursday, Jan. 24 for a free talk and open house at Manatee Village Historical Park. The Stephens house is featured and the home will be open from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Ronald Haase, author of Classic Cracker: Florida’s Wood-Frame Vernacular Architecture, will speak at 5:30 p.m. in the 1887 Church.
Continuing our meanderings around the park we enter the courthouse, a modest frame structure built in 1860, a spittoon sits on the floor next the witness chair. Personally I’m glad to have missed that piece of courtroom history – witnesses and defendants spitting into the spittoon.
Be advised that all buildings have stairs for access.
Park entrance is free. Brochures describing every aspect of the Park are available in both English and Spanish.
Children find a fun lookalike train to climb at a small playground behind the courthouse called Junior Junction. Also popular is climbing the steps up into “Old Cabbage Head.”
A center courtyard has picnic tables and there is a public restroom.
In Bradenton the parts and pieces you want to see, and the stories are not easy to find – the city sprawls north, south, east and west. Many miss all the good stuff here by using the main highways only as a driving conduit to Anna Maria Island and the beaches.
Walk the walk in Bradenton
Consider using the interactive website called Walk Bradenton to explore downtown Bradenton. Discover neighborhoods like Village of the Arts or Old Main Street, site of a Bradenton Farmer’s Market every Saturday October through May.
The Riverwalk, a popular 1.5 mile stroll spanning downtown Bradenton. Along the way encounter South Florida Museum easily a day’s visit in itself as it contains the museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium.
We found our way to the patio at Pier 22 Restaurant for lunch. A gracious setting, sitting on the patio overlooking the Manatee River, and I’d go back for their excellent New England clam chowder.
Up on a front wall of the restaurant was a large fiberglass gecko. Look for them – art geckos are located all over Bradenton and they move around!
On the Riverwalk check out Postcards from the Friendly City – large-scale art panels – visuals of Bradenton’s history scattered along the walk.
Saturdays from October through May a Farmers Market takes over downtown Bradenton with a buffet of local produce, food, live music, chef demonstrations and family-friendly activities.
Outside of downtown, take multiple generations, friends and family, to play, eat, do a tram ride through orange groves and see wildlife rehabilitation, it is all happening at Mixon Fruit Farms, 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton.
Bradenton fish camps renewed
For a laidback waterfront experience, visit Jiggs Landing Fish Camp at 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Started as a fish camp in 1944 and later purchased by Manatee County. Popular with fishermen, dog walkers and birders, and admission is free. Features lovely views of the Braden River as you meander along wide boardwalks. Much wildlife to see as this is a Preserve. Canoes and kayaks for rent along with small cabins.
Just down the road from Jiggs Landing is Linger Lodge that started as a fish camp in 1945, now a restaurant and campground. The restaurant has an excellent view of the Braden River. Inside is serious old Florida weirdness. For starters the menu features alligator chowder and frog legs. You get the picture. Come and linger.
Note: Kudos to Bradenton Author Brenda Spalding and her grandson Hayden Anderson, my tour guides for the day.