Holmes Beach's first non-indigenous settlers, Sam and Annie Cobb, homesteaded 160 acres (65 ha) on Anna Maria Island in 1896. Landmarks include Ilexhurst.
- CountyManatee County
- Population3,010 (2020 U.S. Census)
Holmes Beach's first non-indigenous settlers, Sam and Annie Cobb, homesteaded 160 acres (65 ha) on Anna Maria Island in 1896. Landmarks include Ilexhurst.
Holmes Beach, Florida gifts and souvenirs: 22 designs made from Holmes Beach's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $95. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Holmes Beach Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Holmes Beach Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Holmes Beach Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Holmes Beach Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Holmes Beach Town Line Mug | from $26 |
| Holmes Beach Market Tote | $37 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon, in 4 styles
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
Holmes Beach's first non-indigenous settlers, Sam and Annie Cobb, homesteaded 160 acres (65 ha) on Anna Maria Island in 1896. Other prominent pioneers who joined them were, John R. Jones, who piloted boats between Tampa and Cuba, and Jose Casanas, an immigrant from the Canary Islands who came to the US to start a commercial fishing business for mullet. In 1902, the Cobbs opened a post office from their home.
Holmes Beach was named for John E. Holmes Sr., a property developer who first came to the area in 1907, when he was a railroad construction worker, and came back to build it into a planned community after World War II. During World War II, Holmes was stationed in Tampa. Holmes obtained the interest of three others, Frank B. Giles of Georgia, Pedar Mickelsen of Minnesota, and Francis Karel of Chicago, to help develop it. In 1947 or 1948 a small airport was built. One person had a plane at the airport and used it as an air taxi during the tourist season and was used by residents and visitors taking them to wherever they wanted to go.
In 1948, parts of the movie, "On an Island with You" were filmed in the Holmes Beach community, which featured actors such as Cyd Charisse, Jimmy Durante, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, and Esther Williams.
The City of Holmes Beach was officially incorporated as a municipality on March 13, 1950, during a meeting about incorporating with 46 voting in favor, 13 against and 1 in abstention. Opponents of incorporation argued that tax money from cigarettes and liquor sales would be lost along with county assistance for road maintenance. Those in favor of incorporation argued that it would be easier for lenders to finance new construction on the island and give local residents an equal weight for their voice in their own government. Despite a request not to use anyone's name, Holmes Beach was decided on, although names such as Palm City, Mid-Island Beach, Coquina Beach and Tarpon Beach were considered as well. At the end of the meeting the city's first officials were elected.
Manatee Public Beach located at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive opened in 1952, originally as Manatee County Public Beach. It was managed by a local Kiwanis Club chapter, with all proceeds going to local charity-related initiatives. During the 1950s and 1960s, the beach was racially segregated like many others in the Southeastern United States. It is not clear, however, when the beach was officially desegregated. The beach was renamed "Manatee Beach" before being changed to Manatee Public Beach.
In 1954, Holmes Beach annexed the neighboring subdivision communities of Ilexhurst, Jones, and Casanas, bringing the entirety of Anna Maria Island under municipal governments.
An airport that had existed closed in 1973 because of the cost to maintain it and that it needed improvements. Between 1975 and 1980, the airport land was redeveloped by the municipal government.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Holmes Beach, Florida, revision 1375128697 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Holmes Beach sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
Partner with usA favorite landmark, your street, a school or team, an anniversary gift, a different product. Tell us and we'll get back to you by email.
2 free coloring pages of Holmes Beach, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Holmes Beach's population was 3,010 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 4,966 in 2000.
Anna Maria Island
A view of Holmes Beach