HISTORY

Anna Maria Island was discovered by the local Timucan and Caloosan Native American tribes and, later, by Spanish explorers (including Hernando de Soto) in the name of the Spanish Crown. Hernando de Soto and his crew entered the mouth of Tampa Bay, north of Anna Maria Island, in May 1539, passing the island by to make their landfall on the mainland.

Anna Maria Island was first settled in the beginning of the twentieth century by Tampa Mayor Madison Post who then named the island for his wife Maria and his sister-in-law Anna. As Cuban fishermen were the first visitors to the island at the southern mouth of Tampa Bay, the settlement was very soon dominated by nautical types. In 1892, George Emerson Bean became the first permanent resident on the Island, homesteading much of what is now the City of Anna Maria. After Bean’s death in 1898, the land’s ownership transferred to his son, George Wilhelm Bean, who partnered with Charles Roser, a wealthy real estate developer from St. Petersburg, to form the Anna Maria Beach Company in order to develop the area. The company laid out streets, built sidewalks and houses, and installed a water system.

Residents and visitors came by boat until the first bridge that was built to connect Anna Maria Island to mainland Florida began construction in the summer of 1921. After a heavy storm wiped out half the bridge, it was finished as scheduled in 1922. It crossed the bay to what now is Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach to the fishing town of Cortez. More people then began to visit the island, which caught the interest of several businessmen. Yet, somehow, communities here had more success than most in Florida in keeping out big developers. 

Nearly a century later, Anna Maria Island has become one of the most popular locations in Florida, visited by both locals and tourists. Its wildlife and nature has attracted many scholars of different sciences such as biology, and marine biology.

Fortunately, there’s little use for a car on the island and it’s more viable to use a bike, kayak, or flip-flops around the island. For your convenience, there’s even a free trolley, which circles every 20 minutes, shuffling up and down main Gulf Drive. Here, you’ll find the most beautiful beaches in the world; from Holmes Beach, stocked with restrooms, picnic tables and even a café on the sand, to Coquina Beach, where you’ll find plenty of shaded parking. 

Not far from the skyscrapers of Tampa, Anna Maria’s removal from hubbub makes it a quaint town both easy to reach yet unspoiled by the concrete and chain restaurants. Instead, what Anna Maria has to offer is an abundance of natural beauty and an array of colorful shops and local restaurants lined with swaying palms. It’s as if you’ve stepped back in time, into the Florida of decades ago, with one major difference: updated amenities. No malls to visit here, instead you’ll find a dozen delightful shops dotted across the island. Indeed, the dining is as tempting as the fishing that lures so many visitors. Options range from a classic grouper sandwich on the pier to world-class, upscale dishes using only the freshest catch. 

The waters surrounding Anna Maria are host to an assortment of wildlife waiting to be discovered, from wild dolphins to sharp-eyed ospreys. Here, you can experience one of the most abundant ecosystems on the planet. You’ll be amazed at just how much there is to see on this little island.

WHERE TO EAT

Serving exciting, sophisticated and exquisitely prepared Floridan Cuisine, Beach Bistro is an ideal spot to enjoy fresh fare, especially at sunset. Beachbistro.com

WHAT TO DO

To capture a quiet moment, head to Bean Point, a local secret that provides breathtaking views of the sunset on a pristine and serene beach. 

PLACES TO STAY

Tucked away on Anna Maria Island, Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages features a private escape amidst lush, tropical gardens and white sandy beaches. cedarcoveresort.com

Milwaukee business magnate John Schroeder originally purchased the 8,500-acres that comprise Lakewood Ranch in the early 1900’s. Two decades later, the Uihlein family, founders of the Schlitz Brewing Company, acquired the property and continued to expand the agricultural operations still active today: cattle ranching, vegetable, citrus, timber, and turf farming as well as shell mining. In 1994, development of Lakewood Ranch began, and since 2005 every village built has used products and techniques that result in more energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes. Today, Lakewood Ranch is the largest green master planned community in the United States, a tribute to its founders to be good stewards of the land.

The epicenter of Lakewood Ranch is The Country Club, an impressive members only golf and country club, surrounded by an exquisite collection of neighborhoods, connected by miles of sidewalks and trails. Each of the seven different neighborhoods offers a variety of floor plans and price ranges to elegantly suit any lifestyle. Prices start as low as the 200’s for well-appointed townhomes to luxurious custom homes valued well over $1 million dollars, complete with sweeping golf course views.

The private Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club offers three courses that challenge at every level of play. Royal Lakes and Cypress Links were masterfully crafted by the Palmer Course Design Company with golfers of differing abilities in mind. The third architectural masterpiece, King’s Dunes, is the creation of Rick Robbins, an outstanding golf course designer who ensured a challenging 18-hole play for the seasoned golfer. As a member, you have the privilege to play all 54 holes. Complementary golf support facilities, such as a driving range, a putting green, a practice area for chipping, golf pro shop, spacious locker rooms, and golf cart storage are also included.

In addition to these upscale amenities, the clubhouse, occupying 44,000 square feet of floor space, is equipped with a sophisticated lounge, a grille, an elegant dining room for formal social functions, and numerous private dining rooms for club members and guests. The Athletic Center’s fitness center not only offers state-of-the-art equipment, but a junior-size Olympic swimming pool, 18-lighted tennis courts, steam room, sauna, whirlpool and court-side deli. Alternatively, for members who wish to experience laid-back country club living, a number of lounges as well as card rooms are at their disposal.

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club successfully combines the best of modern conveniences and world-class amenities with a feeling of community rarely seen today. The result is an impressive country club lifestyle with family and friends enjoying recreational activities in a casual, elegant Floridian paradise.

Nearby Attractions

Music on Main Street
It might be swing, it might be country, or it might just be a little bit of rock and roll. But it’s always free and its always the first Friday of every month on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch
Since 1991, the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch has been providing exhilarating polo matches every Sunday during winter season. With 130 acres of perfectly manicured grounds, the Sarasota Polo Club boasts nine world-class polo fields and a regulation size arena.

Saturday Farmers Market
Buy local and shop with area farmers every Saturday from 8am to 1pm on Main Street November through May.