The area now referred to as the City of Bradenton was first discovered by Europeans in 1539. Hernando DeSoto and his band of salty adventures made first landfall in our area at Shaw's Point, taking the first sandy steps from his landing craft on the Manatee River onto what is now the DeSoto National Monument. From this landing site he began his 4,000-mile trek in search of the famed El Dorado, the lost city of gold. He didn't find El Dorado and eventually returned to Spain but his heritage lives on in the many streets and districts which bear his name. However, the city of Bradenton derives her name from Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fortlike house served as a refuge for early settlers during Native American attacks.

 

 

Not surprisingly, Bradenton has emerged from such a historic inception to now be the home of numerous successful individuals and businesses, including Tropicana Products, Inc.; Champs Sports and the corporate offices of Bealls Department Stores. Bradenton and her citizens love to play and but also love to host. Bradenton has fun family events, including Winter Wonderland, Get Down Downtown, and the many fantastic Hernando DeSoto Historical Society celebrations, are held throughout the year  along historic Old Main Street and beautiful Barcarrota Boulevard - the brick-paved thoroughfare running adjacent to the scenic Manatee River -  all of which are open to the whole community.