1964 Map of Bradenton Beach

About this map

Anna Maria Island and the neighboring keys define this mid-1960s coastal survey, illustrating the evolving shoreline of Manatee County before extensive modern developments. The residential grids of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are established along the Gulf, while the historic fishing village of Cortez connects to the barrier islands via the Cortez Bridge. Purple revision markings from the 1980s highlight significant growth across Longboat Key, showing the expansion of settlements like Whitney Beach and Longbeach. The map documents a landscape of intricate waterways, from Sarasota Bay to Buttonwood Harbor, dotted with small landmarks such as the Island Chapel and the State Agriculture Experiment Station. These details capture the transition of a quiet coastal region into a primary Florida destination, noting shoreline features such as seawalls that reflect early efforts to manage the shifting sands of the Gulf Coast.