Manatee Village Historical Park

The Manatee Village Historical Park is a multi-building site that shares the colorful backstory of Manatee County. Founded in 1976, the park’s goal is to spotlight the Bradenton area's pioneering era, from 1840 to 1918, through 15 historic and replica sites, including a general store, schoolhouse, church, and more. 

Wonder what shopping was like over a century ago? Step inside the Wiggins General Store and see for yourself. King Wiggins founded the store in 1903, when the railroad opened the path through Manatee. 

People came by boat or buggy from miles around, often a multi-day trip, and some traveled so far that Wiggins opened lodging quarters upstairs. Eventually, he had cultivated a sense of community at his shop—a place where shoppers stuck around to chit-chat, play checkers, or listen to the phonograph. 

Inside today, information cards help visitors learn about antique tools and objects of the era. Canned goods, lanterns, and vintage bottles line the shelves. You can also play dress-up and see what you would have looked like in the styles of the era: A box full of period clothing and a themed backdrop makes for fun “old-timey” photos. 

Also on the property is a 1913 steam engine, made by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, and known as “Old Cabbage Head” because of its rounded smokestack. In its heyday, the train served north Florida’s lumber industry before making its way to Manatee to transport supplies. To learn about the craftworks of the time, a blacksmith shop, potter barn, and mill are also worth a look.

At the country’s oldest organized cemetery, the Manatee Burying Ground, visit the final resting places of Florida’s pioneer families, plus soldiers of the Seminole Indian Wars, and a one-time aide to General Ulysses S. Grant.