Bradenton, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradenton,_Florida

Bradenton, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bradenton /bredntn/ BRAY -den-ton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census
Bureau estimated the city's 2012 population to be 50,672.[4] Bradenton is the largest principal city of the
Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of
682,833.[7] It is the county seat.[8]

History
The area that would become Bradenton (originally spelled "Bradentown") was first explored in 1539 by the
Spanish during the famous expedition led by Hernando De Soto. Bradenton was established in 1842.[2] The
original town of Bradentown was incorporated in 1903.[9] The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden,
whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during Seminole Indian attacks. The current city of
Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee (incorporated in
1888) and Bradentown.[10][2]

Historic properties
Historic properties in Bradenton include:
Braden Castle Park Historic District, off of Manatee Avenue and 27th St East
Bradenton Bank and Trust Company Building, 1925, now the Professional Building, 1023 Manatee
Avenue, West,
Iron Block Building, 1896, 530 12th Street West (Old Main Street)
Manatee County Courthouse, 1913, 1115 Manatee Avenue, West
Old Manatee County Courthouse, 1860, 1404 Manatee Avenue, East
Peninsular Telephone Company Building, 1925, 1009 4th Avenue, West

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradenton has a total area of 14.44 square miles (37.4 km2).
12.11 square miles (31.4 km2) of it is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2) of it (16.14%) is water.
Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh
and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles (32 km) of Florida beaches
many which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located
on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the
Intracoastal Waterway.
Downtown Bradenton is located in the northwest area of the city. Home to many of Bradenton's offices and
government buildings, the tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its blue-green windows.
The next tallest is the brand new Manatee County Judicial Center with nine floors, located next to the historic
courthouse. Other major downtown buildings include the Manatee County Government building and the
headquarters of the School Board of Manatee County.
The eastern side of Bradenton is growing at a rapid rate. Initially starting as the popular subdivision Lakewood

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