Like much of Florida, Anna Maria experienced both booms and busts during the 20th century. The 1920s brought land speculation and growth, only to be followed by the collapse of the Florida land boom and the hardships of the Great Depression. Despite these challenges, Anna Maria retained its appeal as a quiet island retreat. During World War II,

With the pier completed, visitors began flocking to Anna Maria. The island offered pristine beaches, fishing opportunities, and a quiet retreat from the growing cities of Tampa Bay. Boarding houses and small hotels were established to accommodate tourists. The Roser Memorial Community Church, built in 1913 by Charles Roser in memory of his mothe

The modern history of Anna Maria Island begins with George Emerson Bean, who is widely recognized as the island’s first copyright. In the early 1890s, Bean, originally from Connecticut, established a homestead on the northern tip of the island. He and his family built a house and lived off fishing, gardening, and trade with the mainland. Bean

The Gulf Coast was charted by Spanish explorers as early as the 1500s. Hernando de Soto’s expedition landed near Tampa Bay in 1539, encountering Native groups and establishing Spain’s claim to Florida. Spanish missionaries later attempted to settle the region, though with limited long-term success. The island itself eventually came to be cal