Sarasota / Bradenton is located on the west coast of Florida. Sarasota / Bradenton also includes several barrier islands Siesta Key and Lido Key that are famous for their beaches. Sarasota / Bradenton has a combined population of approximately 100,000. Sarasota is a major city in the area and is the county seat of Sarasota.

Sarasota / Bradenton, Florida History

Sarasota / Bradenton really began to be populated in the late 1840s. The pioneers were drawn to the area by the climate and by Sarasota Bay.

Joseph Daniel Anderson was one of the first pioneers in the Sarasota / Bradenton area. With only hand tools, Anderson started an agricultural industry. The fertile lands of the area produced vegetables, citrus fruits and sugar cane. At that time, the product was transported on sleds and wagons to the Lemon Bay docks. From there, the products were transferred by water to the boats in Boca Grande.

Fishing was carried out with linen and twine nets treated with lime to prevent rotting. Their base of operations included land-based facilities on the coast and on the beach. As the ice boats arrived from Tampa, the Andersons were able to ship fresh fish and produce across the country.

Sarasota / Bradenton Culture

Sarasota is home to some of the best cultures in the state of Florida. It is home to the Florida West Coast Symphony which hosts the Sarasota Music Festival. It is also home to a ballet, opera, Florida Studio Theater, Sarasota Players, and many other theatrical and cultural venues. Since 1998, the city has hosted the Sarasota Film Festival, which attracts independent films from around the world. It is one of the largest film festivals in the state of Florida.

Bradenton by itself also has its own culture. Bradenton’s Riverfront Theater is an award-winning venue known for quality entertainment.

The Museum of South Florida, the Bishop Planetarium and the Parker Manatee Aquarium also make their home in Bradenton. This is a combination of museum, planetarium and aquarium in one place that attracts star lovers and history buffs alike.

Bradenton is also home to the Village of the Arts, which is a downtown neighborhood where zoning laws allow residents to live and work from their homes. Fifty of the most dilapidated houses have been turned into studios, small restaurants, and other small art businesses. La Villa de las Artes is the largest arts district in the Gulf of Mexico.

Whether you live in Sarasota or Bradenton, the area is home to some of the greatest cultural attractions in the state of Florida, making the entire area more unique than the rest of the state. Of course, the area is also known for its pristine beaches and resort / retirement lifestyle that attracts visitors and new residents from around the world. Whether you’re visiting or planning to move to the Sarasota / Bradenton area, you’ll have plenty to do and more to see.