"Bean's Point"/Early Legend
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 27° 32.096 W 082° 44.171
17R E 328552 N 3046887
Located in Bayfront Park on N Bay Blvd between Hibiscus and Crescent Drives.
Waymark Code: WMPZR1
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/18/2015
Views: 8
Bean's Point
In May 1895, Anna Maria Island's first modern-day pioneer -- George Emerson Bean -- took up a homestead, signed by President Wm. McKinley, that embraced the island's entire north point. Other daring settlers, such as Samuel C. Cobb and John R. Jones, came shortly after, clearing the island's dense jungle to build homes. In 1913, George W. Bean, son of Anna Maria's first pioneer, founded the Anna Maria Development Company. This opened the island to its expansion as a uniquely appealing summer and winter resort for visitors as well as year round home for an increasing number of residents from almost every state of the union.
Early Legend
Earliest known dwellers of Anna Maria Island were Indians of the Timucuan Tribe, whose burial mounds, filled with tribal artifacts, were found years later. According to tradition, Ponce de Leon in 1513 visited this key (then joined to what is now Longboat Key) and in honor of his sponsor King Charles II, gave the island his queen's name. In 1539, Hernando DeSoto is said to have made his first new world landing near here. Replenishing his ships' water casks, the explorer then passed around Anna Maria's north point and sailed to the Manatee River, launching his historic expedition to the Mississippi River.
Marker Number: F-171
Date: 1969
County: Manatee
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials in cooperation with Manatee County Historical Society
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.