History of Anna Maria Island in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 10, 2024

"Anna Maria Island is a 7-mile long barrier island located in Manatee County, Florida. It sits between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Anna Maria Sound to the east. Longboat Pass borders the island to the south and Tampa Bay to the north."

1921: Cortez Bridge Construction

Before 1921, Anna Maria Island was only reachable by boat. The Cortez Bridge, connecting the island to Cortez, was built in 1921. Parts of the original wooden bridge are now used for a fishing pier.

1921: Bridge Construction Begins

Construction of the first bridge to connect Anna Maria Island to mainland Florida began in the summer of 1921.

1921: Paul Gilmore's Film Colony

In 1921, actor Paul Gilmore bought land on Anna Maria Island to create a film colony named Gil-Mor Isle. Only one movie, "The Isle of Destiny," was filmed there and it failed to achieve national distribution.

1922: Bridge Completion

Despite a storm during construction, the bridge connecting Anna Maria Island to Cortez was finished in 1922, leading to increased visitors and business interest.

1938: Siam Garden Resort's Fish Camp

Siam Garden Resort started a fish camp in 1938.

1948: Hollywood Comes to Anna Maria Island

In 1948, MGM filmed "On an Island with You" on Anna Maria Island, featuring stars like Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán.

March 13, 1950: Holmes Beach Incorporation

John E. Holmes, Sr.'s planned community, Holmes Beach, was officially incorporated on March 13, 1950.

December 21, 1951: Bradenton Beach Incorporation

Bradenton Beach, located on Anna Maria Island, was incorporated on December 21, 1951.

1960: Key Royale Development

Previously uninhabited, Key Royale (formerly School Key) saw development begin in 1960 with the construction of a bridge connecting it to Holmes Beach.

2002: Tourism Development and Its Impacts

Since 2002, Anna Maria Island has seen a focused effort on tourism development, leading to increased visitor numbers but also concerns about traffic, noise, litter, and the conversion of homes into short-term rentals.

2005: Population Estimate

In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the combined population of Anna Maria Island's three cities (Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach) to be around 8,500.