COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
COMMUNITYSpotlight
Anna Maria Island
40 | FLORIDA HOMES MAGAZINE FloridaHomesMag.com | 41
Contributing Writer Cheryl Roberts
Q
Quaint streets with colorful Victorian coages and beach bungalows painted in ever y hue of the rainbow,
with white sandy beaches framing the turquoise waters of the Gulf, these are the hallmarks of A nna Maria
Island. Once considered a hidden gem, this casual, friendly destination provides a rare slice of "Old Florida".
e cozy and charming feel of A nna Maria Island makes it the perfect place to relax in nature's wonder.
Forbes Magazine named A nna Maria Island the "#3 Preiest City in the Countr y" in 2013. In addition, it
was chosen as "Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice Destination Winner 2013 and 2014."
A nna Maria is in fact as the name suggests a barrier island, bounded by the Gulf of Mex ico, Tampa Bay
Sound, A nna Maria Sound and Longboat Pass. Not so long ago, the only access to A nna Maria was by
horse and wagon across the Cortez Bridge, which was wooden and not too sturdy. It wasn't until the 1950s
that it was replaced with a modern concrete structure.
e first resident on the island was George Emerson Bean, who came in 1893, homesteading 140 acres.
His son, George W. partnered with Charles Roser to form the A nna Maria Beach Company to develop the
area. Roser's cookie company, famous for inventing the Fig New ton, later became Nabisco. Together Bean
and Roser laid out the streets, built sidewalks and houses, and installed a water system, thereby creating the
foundation of A nna Maria Island as we know it today.
O
nce considered a hidden gem,
this casual, iendly destination
provides a rare slice of
"Old Florida".
