As you begin planning for your Anna Maria Island vacation you know there will be beach days, shopping excursions, and food journeys that you will dream about long after you have returned home, but did you know that your visit can be a historical exploration as well? First settled in the 1800s and incorporated in 1923, our island home has long been a place of history and culture, not just a relaxing vacation destination, and we at Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals want to take you on another journey, a journey in which you will walk in the footsteps of all who went before you, hear the whispers of voices long gone, and discover how much while life moves on and progress is made, the fundamentals often remain the same. This guide to historical locations on Anna Maria Island will give you a sneak peek into the history that makes our island unique.
Old City Jail, 402 Pine Avenue
Built just 4 years after the city was incorporated in 1927, the Old City Jail has never held serious evildoers, but was mainly just a place to hold those who might have imbibed a tad too much after a night of revelry and rabblerousing at the local tavern and dancehall. The Pagoda Dance Hall was where they danced and drank, and when rowdy drunks got a little too enthusiastic, they were tossed into the jail, offering only bars on the windows—no glass or screens—to sleep it off while being subjected to the most ruthless of “lawmakers,” the mosquitoes that swarmed the area. Today, that might be considered cruel and unusual punishment, but the arrests ended in 1940 when a fire destroyed its wood roof and escaping would be as simple as hopping over the low walls. The structure itself made of tabby, a mixture of lime, sand, water, and oyster shells survived the fire and a decision was made to use the jail as a photo op, an idea that has been successful for over 60 years. Today, the jail still stands in its original location, the phrase “No Roof, No Doors, No Windows, No Bars, No Guests for Years and Years” painted across one wall and is one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Belle Haven Cottage, 404 Pine Avenue
The history of Belle Haven Cottage is interesting and colorful. Built on City Pier to be used as a fish packing plant in 1920, the cottage actually fell into the Bay in 1926, which you would think would be the end of its story. Instead, resourceful islanders rescued it from the waters and used it as a family home for the next 50 years. (It’s not noted how long it took for the fish smell to dissipate!) Today the cottage has been restored after years of neglect, moved from its second location to its current spot in the Historical Park and is the site of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and should definitely be added to your Anna Maria Island vacation itinerary.
Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, 402 Pine Avenue
All of the historical buildings are located within the Historical Park, allowing visitors to enjoy a taste of island history without having to venture far (something especially appreciated during the warmer days of the summer), and our last stop on our tour of history brings us to the AMI Historical Society Museum, a former ice house built in 1920. This charming structure has cycled through many incarnations over the decades, serving as an auto garage, a sea turtle hatchery (perhaps our favorite use of its square footage), and even a public administration building. Its exhibits tell the stories of the island, of the people who lived here and earned their living from the sea, and also a little bit about our baseball history. Did you know that Anna Maria Island was the Spring Training home for our boys of summer before the Grapefruit League existed from the 40s to the 60s? Or that Babe Ruth trained here in the winter at one point in his career? You can learn about all this and more when you visit the museum during your stay on Anna Maria Island.
Thoroughly Modern and Absolutely Comfortable
The history of our Anna Maria Life Vacation Rentals Florida retreats is a much shorter one, but that doesn’t make them any less important. Offering all the comforts of home, the modern conveniences that make life easier, and the luxuries that will make you feel treasured and spoiled, our properties are going to be an integral part of your vacation experience. Spend your days listening to the echoes of history, savoring the serenity of the sea during your white sand adventures, and come home every night to all the amenities that will make your vacation dreams come true. Reserve your favorite escape today!
