Presenting

SUBSCRIBE to Florida Boating Magazine at FloridaBoatingMag.com Cortez Fishing Village ocated just west of one of Bradenton's busiest corridors, nestled on sea grass on the northern end of Sarasota Bay, the Cortez Fishing Village is a place still preser ving its past in Florida's long-time maritime histor y. Quaint coages line the residential streets, while many of the area's historic buildings have been k nown as Hunters Point and officially became Cortez Fishing Village in 1895. In 1921, the town was nearly destroyed by a hurricane that devastated all of the waterfront businesses and homes. Residents prided themselves on their robust fishing , trading and bartering economy and the town was self-sufficient from government aid during the Great Depression. However, during the mid 1990's, the village lost much of its livelihood and population when the government banned net fishing to preser ve the declining fish population in the local waters. Generations of fishermen were forced to find work in other industries or move away from Cortez. e A nnual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival aracts thousands of visitors each Februar y. e two-day event celebrates all of Cortez's old Florida charm with music, boats, arts and cras, and, of course, seafood. e festival benefits the F.I.S.H. preser ve or "the k itchen," a 100-acre expanse of Sarasota Bay just south of Cortez. F.I.S.H. hopes to protect and restore this natural habitat, once abound with sea life. Cortez Village now receives a majority of its income from tourism. In 2006, it opened the Florida Maritime Museum in its original 1912 Schoolhouse. e museum educates visitors on the village's histor y and traditions with photographs and relics from its rich histor y. Cortez Village is one of the last work ing fishing village on Florida's Gulf Coast and designated on the National Register of Historic Places. MARITIME HISTORY Florida's Paradise and Suncoast areas are home to a treasure trove of shipwrecks, dating back to the early 20th century. Submerge yourself in Florida's nautical history with a sail back in time. Mexican Pride Wreck Located about 35 miles off the coast of St. Petersburg , the Mex ican Pride Wreck was once a cargo ship that transported phosphate. e remains were eventually sunk. Coordinates: N27° 31.31" W83° 24.412" Bayronto A British freighter that sunk off the West Coast during a hurricane on September 13, 1919. e remnants are located 30 miles offshore in about 110 feet of water. Coordinates: N26° 45.937" W82° 50.756" Famous Shipwrecks Off the West Coast By Sara Mineo L 66 | FLORIDA BOATING MAGAZINE U FloridaBoatingMag.com

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