History:

In 1896 Sam and Annie Cobb homesteaded 160 acres from Gulf to Bay, the area now called Holmes Beach. Their acreage included a bayou and provided a harbor for small boats and a natural channel to the bay. In addition they purchased a 10 acre strip from John Jones, whose homestead adjoined theirs, and built a dock.

In 1897 the Cobb's daughter, Anna Maria Cobb, became the first non-Native child born on the island.

Capt. John R. Jones became the third settler on Anna Maria Island. The first, George Emerson Bean, settled near the North Point in 1893. Jones took the land south of Cobb's which is Sportsmans Harbor today. Settling to the south of him was Jose Casanas, who came from the Canary Islands primarily to fish for mullet. Jones was captain of boats running between Tampa and Cuba and was authorized by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to establish an agricultural station on the island. He brought trees from S. America, India and Mexico. Mosquitoes were bad so the settlers burned powdered chrysanthemum.

In 1902 the first island post office was established in Sam Cobb's house. Sam was the only government representative on the island. Before, residents had to row across the bay to Perico Island for mail. The few hardy island residents helped each other build homes. They hacked through the jungle to create a sandy washboard road and laid logs across streams and swamps. Rattlesnakes, wildcats and panthers lived in the island jungle.

At the end of World War II Jack Holmes, a developer with a dream, created a 600-acre community in the center of the island. In 1948 an airstrip was built as a landing strip for small planes. The film "On An Island With You," starring Esther Williams and Peter Lawford, was partially filmed on the island. Esther Williams bought property, although it is not known if she ever lived on the island.

The City of Holmes Beach was incorporated in 1950. The first mayor, Halsey T. Tichenor, served from March 14, 1950 to March 20, 1951.

In 1950 Jack Holmes had 180 homes for sale and the island became known for its rapid growth.

The Anna Maria Island Elementary School was built in 1950 on Gulf Drive. Lena Phelps was the first principal.

In 1953 the Island Medical Center was built by Dr. Edgar Huth, the first island doctor and he made house calls. Dr. Rex Lee opened his dental practice in the north end of the building.

In 1954 Jack Holmes built the Yacht Club Restaurant on the canal, which later became the famous Pete Reynard's.

In 1952 Jack Holmes built a shopping center -the first on the island. It provided a grocery store, post office, drug store, restaurants, a bakery and clothing store. The Island Bank was completed in 1960.

In the early 1960's Seaside Gardens on 63rd Street took shape under the direction of Jack Holmes. With the help of his friends the town of Holmes Beach developed into the fastest growing community in Florida, according to an article in the Better Living Magazine, Sept. 1980. They strived for a home community of modest proportions with affordable prices in a luxurious setting. Dredging and filling in the picturesque canals and bayous took place. Holmes gave people what they wanted starting at $8,950 with no maintenance or hidden costs. The first structure was completed in 1962. The five-unit apartment was one story, under one roof .All units had boat docks along the canal. Each apartment had central heat and air. They sold like hot cakes.

School Key in l950 had no bridge and was full of mangrove swamps and jungles. The Key Royale Bridge was built in 1960. The jungles were cleared, and home sites were planned on the 125 acres overlooking Sarasota and Tampa bays. The golf course opened in 1966 and the all waterfront homes were filling up in 1969. Peder Mickelsen founded Key Royale, William B. Lee and Howard Adams were vice-presidents. In 1969 there were 138 occupied homes.

Dr. Huth retired in 1960 and Dr. John Deam, with Ruth Taylor as his nurse, took over the Medical Center. Dr. Jack Colson took over Dr. Lee's dental offices.

The Manatee Avenue Bridge was completed in 1957. In 1964 the bridge toll was withdrawn.

In 1970 an airplane accident signaled doom for the airstrip. Despite a Save Our Airport campaign the airport closed in 1973. The Martinique Condominium was completed the same year. The seven-story condo was the island's first high rise.