History of Longboat Key, Florida

Longboat Key, Florida, is a barrier island, situated on the Gulf of Mexico, below Tampa Bay, across from the cities, Sarasota and Bradenton. Longboat Key is split down the middle into Manatee County and Sarasota County.
In the 1500s, Calusa and Timucan Native Americans would dwell on Longboat Key. At the time, the Gulf of Mexico was six feet below what its measurement is today. The name "Longboat" is believed to have originated from the boat Hernando DeSoto and his navigator Juan Anasco used, in 1539, to maneuver through the island's northern pass.
Relatively unsettled for centuries by permanent residents, the Homestead Act of 1862 brought pioneers, most notably Civil War veteran Thomas Mann. The early 20th century saw a boom in farming of fruits, such as tomatoes, guavas, avocados, and citrus crops.
A hurricane, and its consequent flooding, in the year of 1921, ended the truck farming. During World War II, Longboat Key had designated target ranges for the Army Air Force. The town was incorporated in 1955, which indicated the beginning of the rise of tourism.
In 1915, fourteen families resided in Longboat Key, Florida. As of 2004, 7,622 residents live here permanently. An estimated 8,000 residents hang their hats for the seasons.