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Bradenton (/ˈbreɪdəntən/BRAY-dən-tən) is a city and the county seat[9] of Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2019 population to be 59,439.[5][10] Bradenton is a principal city of the North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton metropolitan statistical area, which had a 2018 estimated population of 821,573.[11]

History

19th century

Bradenton was established in 1842.[2] The town was originally spelled "Braidentown," as a spelling error was made when it applied for a post office on May 9, 1878.[12] The first bridge across Wares Creek would be built in 1886.[13] The following year, Bradenton was designated the county seat after Pine Level, which was now in DeSoto County was formed from eastern Manatee County.[14] A county courthouse would be built in 1890 at Courthouse Square.[15]

20th century

Old Main Street circa 1910

Railroad service would be extended from Palmetto across the Manatee River to Bradenton in 1902.[16] Bradenton would be incorporated on May 19, 1903.[17] One of the earliest moves made by the municipal government was amending the name to "Bradentown".[18][19][20] The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden of Virginia, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during the Seminole Wars. On December 29, a streetcar line would begin operation going from Bradenton to the neighboring city of Manatee and would go west crossing Wares Creek to the nearby community of Fogartyville.[21][22] The company operating the line would have financial difficulties likely due to a lack of ridership and would cancel the line in 1906.[23][24]

In 1912, the first road, Range Road leading from present day Bradenton (then, Manatee) to Sarasota was built.[22] The original county courthouse was bought and moved to a new location becoming a grade school for black students in the area, Lincoln Academy Grammar School that same year. A new courthouse would be built on the site of the old one which still stands today in the following year, 1913.[15]

The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown.[2][25]

Historic properties

Historic properties in Bradenton include:

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradenton has a total area of 14.44 square miles (37.4 km2), of which 12.11 square miles (31.4 km2) is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2) (16.14%) is water. Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by [2] The town was originally spelled "Braidentown," as a spelling error was made when it applied for a post office on May 9, 1878.[12] The first bridge across Wares Creek would be built in 1886.[13] The following year, Bradenton was designated the county seat after Pine Level, which was now in DeSoto County was formed from eastern Manatee County.[14] A county courthouse would be built in 1890 at Courthouse Square.[15]

20th century

Old Main Street circa 1910

Railroad service would be extended from Palmetto across the Manatee River to Bradenton in 1902.[16] Bradenton would be incorporated on May 19, 1903.[17] One of the earliest moves made by the municipal government was amending the name to "Bradentown".[18][19][20] The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden of Virginia, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during the Seminole Wars. On December 29, a streetcar line would begin operation going from Bradenton to the neighboring city of Manatee and would go west crossing Wares Creek to the nearby community of Fogartyville.[21][22] The company operating the line would have financial difficulties likely due to a lack of ridership and would cancel the line in 1906.[23][24]

In 1912, the first road, Range Road leading from present day Bradenton (then, Manatee) to Sarasota was built.[22] The original county courthouse was bought and moved to a new location becoming a grade school for black students in the area, Lincoln Academy Grammar School that same year. A new courthouse would be built on the site of the old one which still stands today in the following year, 1913.[15]

The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown.[2][25]

Historic properties

Historic properties in Bradenton include:

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Railroad service would be extended from Palmetto across the Manatee River to Bradenton in 1902.[16] Bradenton would be incorporated on May 19, 1903.[17] One of the earliest moves made by the municipal government was amending the name to "Bradentown".[18][19][20] The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden of Virginia, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during the Seminole Wars. On December 29, a streetcar line would begin operation going from Bradenton to the neighboring city of Manatee and would go west crossing Wares Creek to the nearby community of Fogartyville.[21][22] The company operating the line would have financial difficulties likely due to a lack of ridership and would cancel the line in 1906.[23][24]

In 1912, the first road, Range Road leading from present day Bradenton (then, Manatee) to Sarasota was built.[22] The original county courthouse was bought and moved to a new location becoming a grade school for black students in the area, Lincoln Academy Grammar School that same year. A new courthouse would be built on the site of the old one which still stands today in the following year, 1913.[15]

The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in 1888) and Bradentown.[2][25]

Historic properties

Bradenton has a typical Central Florida humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterised by hot, oppressively humid summers and warm winters.

Bradenton, Florida
City
Bradenton City Hall
Bradenton City Hall
Nickname(s): 
The Friendly City[1]
Location in Manatee County and the U.S. state of Florida
Location in Manatee County and the U.S. state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°35′W / 27.483°N 82.583°W / 27.483; -82.583Coordinates: 27°29′N 82°35′W / 27.483°N 82.583°W / 27.483; -82.583
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyManatee
Settled1842[2]
Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its blue-green windows. The next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with nine floors, located next to the historic courthouse. Other major downtown buildings include the Manatee County Government building and the headquarters of the School Board of Manatee County.

Bradenton has a typical Central Florida humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterised by hot, oppressively humid summers and warm winters.

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As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 49,504 people, 21,379 households, and 12,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,088.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,578.3/km2). There were 24,887 housing units at an average density of 2,055.4 per square mile (793.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.14% White, 15.11% African American, 0.79% Asian, 0.29% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.91% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.26% of the population. There were 21,379 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,902, and the median income for a family was $42,366. Males had a median income of $28,262 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,133. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Tropicana Products was founded in Bradenton in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant. By 2004 it had over 8,000 employees and marketed its products throughout the United States. PepsiCo, Inc., acquired it in 1998. Tropicana's juice trains have been running to northern markets via CSX and predecessor railroads since 1971. In 2003, Pepsi relocated Tropicana's corporate headquarters to Chicago after it acquired Gatorade and consolidated its non-carbonated beverage businesses. However, their juice production facilities remain in Bradenton.[28]

Champs Sports, a nationwide sports-apparel chain, is headquartered in Bradenton, as is department store chain Bealls.[citation needed]

Bradenton was significantly affected by the United States housing market correction, as reported by CNN, projecting a 24.8% loss in median home values by the third quarter of 2008.[29] Real estate has shown a recovery since 2012, as home prices stabilize and inventory subsides.[citation needed]

Transportation

Bradenton is served by Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and is connected to St. Petersburg by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Sunshine Skyway is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) cross-bay bridge that rises 250 feet (76 m) above the bay at its highest point. Remnants of the old Skyway bridge have been converted into a fishing pier extending into Tampa Bay from both sides of the bay.

Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses serve Bradenton along with the cities/communities of Palmetto, Ellenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Tallevast and Samoset, with transfers to Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Free trolleys run north-south on Anna Maria Island, as well as to/from various points on the mainland. Amtrak charter buses run through downtown Bradenton outside the courthouse to Tampa Union Station and Venice.

Government

The city is governed by a city council with five members, from which is selected the city's vice mayor. The mayor is elected at-large as are all five council members.

Media

Newspapers

Radio stations

Bradenton is located in the Sarasota-Bradenton radio market. It also receives many stations from the nearby Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

The stations listed below are located and/or licensed in Bradenton or Manatee County:

  • WWPR – 1490 AM – studio and transmitter in Bradenton
  • WBRD – 1420 AM – licensed to Palmetto
  • WJIS – 88.1 FM
  • WPBB – 98.7 FM (studios and transmitter in Pinellas County)
  • WHPT – 102.5 FM (Sarasota; transmitter in northeastern corner of Sarasota County; studios in St. Petersburg)
  • WRUB – 106.5 FM

Television stations

WSNN-LD is based in Sarasota but transmits from Manatee County. WWSB channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, is based in Sarasota, but has a transmitter in Parrish, northeast of Bradenton; it is seen on cable channel 7 on most cable systems in the area. WXPX-TV channel 66, the local Ion Television affiliate, is licensed in Bradenton, with its transmitter in Riverview in Hillsborough County.

per capita income for the city was $20,133. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Tropicana Products was founded in Bradenton in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi, an Italian immigrant. By 2004 it had over 8,000 employees and marketed its products throughout the United States. PepsiCo, Inc., acquired it in 1998. Tropicana's juice trains have been running to northern markets via CSX and predecessor railroads since 1971. In 2003, Pepsi relocated Tropicana's corporate headquarters to Chicago after it acquired Gatorade and consolidated its non-carbonated beverage businesses. However, their juice production facilities remain in Bradenton.[28]

Champs Sports, a nationwide sports-apparel chain, is headquartered in Bradenton, as is department store chain Bealls.Champs Sports, a nationwide sports-apparel chain, is headquartered in Bradenton, as is department store chain Bealls.[citation needed]

Bradenton was significantly affected by the United States housing market correction, as reported by CNN, projecting a 24.8% loss in median home values by the third quarter of 2008.[29] Real estate has shown a recovery since 2012, as home prices stabilize and inventory subsides.[citation needed]

Bradenton is served by Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and is connected to St. Petersburg by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Sunshine Skyway is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) cross-bay bridge that rises 250 feet (76 m) above the bay at its highest point. Remnants of the old Skyway bridge have been converted into a fishing pier extending into Tampa Bay from both sides of the bay.

Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses serve Bradenton along with the cities/communities of Palmetto, Ellenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) buses serve Bradenton along with the cities/communities of Palmetto, Ellenton, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Tallevast and Samoset, with transfers to Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Free trolleys run north-south on Anna Maria Island, as well as to/from various points on the mainland. Amtrak charter buses run through downtown Bradenton outside the courthouse to Tampa Union Station and Venice.

The city is governed by a city council with five members, from which is selected the city's vice mayor. The mayor is elected at-large as are all five council members.

Media

Bradenton is located in the Sarasota-Bradenton radio market. It also receives many stations from the nearby Tampa-St. Petersburg market.

The stations listed below are located and/or licensed in Bradenton or Manatee County:

  • WWPR – 1490 AM – studio and transmitter in Bradenton
  • WBRD – 1420 AM – licensed to Palmetto
  • WJIS – 88.1 FM
  • WPBB – 98.7 FM (studios and transmitter in Pinellas County)
  • WHPT – 102.5 FM (Sarasota; transmitter in northeastern corner of Sarasota County; studios in St. Petersburg)
  • WRUB – 106.5 FM

Television stations

WSNN-LD is based in Sarasota but transmits from Manatee County. WWSB channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, is based in Sarasota, but has a transmitter in Parrish, northeast of Bradenton; it is seen on cable channel 7 on most cable systems in the area. WXPX-TV channel 66, the local Ion Television affiliate, is licensed in Bradenton, with its transmitter in The stations listed below are located and/or licensed in Bradenton or Manatee County:

WSNN-LD is based in Sarasota but transmits from Manatee County. WWSB channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, is based in Sarasota, but has a transmitter in Parrish, northeast of Bradenton; it is seen on cable channel 7 on most cable systems in the area. WXPX-TV channel 66, the local Ion Television affiliate, is licensed in Bradenton, with its transmitter in Riverview in Hillsborough County.

Education

Manatee County Public Schools operates area public schools. Schools in the city limits include:

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota's (SCF) main campus is located in Bayshore Gardens, and Manatee County Public Schools operates area public schools. Schools in the city limits include:

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota's (SCF) main campus is located i

The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota's (SCF) main campus is located in Bayshore Gardens, and State College of Florida Collegiate School has a campus on the SCF Bradenton campus.[30][31]

CultureVillage of the Arts, a renovated neighborhood immediately south of downtown where special zoning laws allow residents to live and work in their homes. Many of these once dilapidated houses have been converted into studios, galleries, small restaurants and other small businesses. The Village of the Arts promotes its 'First Fridays' activities celebrating the seasons and different holidays. The Village of the Arts remains the largest arts district on the Gulf Coast.

The Manatee Players, who reside at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, have a three-year record of first-place wins within the Florida Theatre Conference and the Southeastern Theatre Conference competitions. In addition, the theatre currently holds the first place title from the American Association of Community Theatre competition.

Located on the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton is the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. This one-stop museum-planetarium-aquarium offers a glimpse of Florida history, a star and multimedia show, and ongoing lecture and film series. The Parker Manatee Aquarium was the permanent home to Manatee County's most famous resident and official mascot, Snooty, the manatee.

The Manatee Players, who reside at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, have a three-year record of first-place wins within the Florida Theatre Conference and the Southeastern Theatre Conference competitions. In addition, the theatre currently holds the first place title from the American Association of Community Theatre competition.

Located on the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton is the South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. This one-stop museum-planetarium-aquarium offers a glimpse of Florida history, a star and multimedia show, and ongoing lecture and film series. The Parker Manatee Aquarium was the permanent home to Manatee County's most famous resident and official mascot, Snooty, the manatee. Born at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948, Snooty was one of the first recorded captive manatee births. He was the oldest manatee in captivity, and likely the oldest manatee in the world.[32] On July 23, 2017, two days after his 69th birthday, Snooty died as the result of drowning.[33]

ArtCenter Manatee is the center for art and art education in Manatee County. The nearly 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries, five classrooms, an Artists' Market gift shop and an art library featuring over 3,000 art volumes.

The nonprofit organization Realize Bradenton works with the above-listed cultural partners to promote Downtown Bradenton as a destination for the arts. It also produces events in the downtown area with a focus on arts and culture like the annual Bradenton Blues Festival, ArtSlam public art festival as well as several smaller public art and music events throughout the year.[34]

Additionally, the town is the subject of the We the Kings song "This Is Our Town"; they, as well as the band Have Gun, Will Travel originate from Bradenton.

Bradenton is the spring training home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates who play their home games at downtown's LECOM Park. During the regular baseball season, the stadium is home to the minor league Bradenton Marauders who play in the Florida State League in Class A-Advanced.

The city is home to the State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota Manatees sports teams.

Manatee County high schools produce several teams including State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota Manatees sports teams.

Manatee County high schools produce several teams including Manatee High School whose football team was nationally ranked in the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s and regained their national status in 2009. Manatee High School has won five football state championships. Bradenton is also home to the IMG Academy, the home of the U.S U-17 residential soccer program.

The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton was home of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship.

Climate data for Bradenton, Florida (1981–2010 normals)
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