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The Story of the Bridge Street Pier
Take a drive or trolley ride to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island and head east, and eventually, you’ll come across the famous Bridge Street Pier.
This spectacular and recently restored pier has become an iconic attraction for thousands of yearly visitors who want to get a taste of “Old Florida” firsthand along the sunny Florida Gulf coast.
Today, the area is true to its motto, “Shop, Dine, Play, From Beach to Bay” but it wasn’t always this way. In fact, it took years to get to this point of development, with the latest Bridge Street renovation being the last piece of the puzzle.
Despite the development, the area remains incredibly quaint, retaining elements of Florida’s past while adding modern shops, restaurants, and sights. The pier area has become a bit of a tourist hub and is a great place to regroup while debating the many Anna Maria Island things to do.
Visitors can shop at the many boutiques and specialty spots that retain Old Florida character and charm. The dining is mostly Gulf-sourced and almost entirely local. Art galleries, live music, and street events line the curbs.
To get to this point in development, Bridge Street Pier has taken an intriguing, winding path.
The Early 1920s
Prior to the 1920s, the only entrance into Anna Maria Island was by boat. In 1922, developers built a wooden bridge, which was the connection from Cortez Beach to Anna Maria Island.
The wooden bridge led right onto the existing Bridge Street, which was the only main artery through Anna Maria Island.
The bridge (and the Bridge Street area itself) eventually became a distinct neighborhood and community center, acting as the main and only entrance to the entire island for decades.
The Late 1960s and the Fishing Pier
In 1967, a drawbridge was opened, ending use of the wooden bridge. The side of the bridge on Anna Maria Island was converted into a pier to encourage visitors and help foster a sense of community in the southern end of the island.
Through the following decades, the pier was less of a tourist centerpiece and more of a local favorite, with fantastic fishing on the gulf in a quieter section of Bradenton Beach.
However, after the recent restoration, the area is now bustling and a popular spot for many tourists who might stop by on the trolley or visit from nearby Coquina Beach.
The 2000s: Restoration and Renovation
The historic landmark underwent a tumultuous period of its history in 2012 when it was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The pier had had structural issues prior to the storm, but this was the final straw. It forced closure that inevitably impacted local businesses in the area.
While the economic impacts were felt, this was an opportunity to restore this landmark pier. So, in the wake of the damage, it underwent a serious renovation.
After about a year of construction, the Bridge Street Pier was reopened in 2015, structurally sound and with a fresh new face.
Now a top gathering place on Anna Maria Island
The Bridge Street Pier has always held historic significance for Anna Maria Island. But it is also now a gathering place for visitors from all over the world.
It is a welcoming point for tourists getting their bearings, with a mix of old mainstay restaurants and some new additions. Many comfortable and spacious Anna Maria Island vacation rentals are also found in the immediate area.
Businesses were encouraged to launch in the region by the restoration of the pier. New boutiques are opening up and once-vacant buildings are now filled with eclectic shops and independent restaurants.
This southern end of Anna Maria Island at the Bridge Street Pier has its roots in humble beginnings but is now high on the list of Anna Maria Island things to do.
Once the main entrance to a laid-back island, the Bridge Street Pier has now been redesigned as modern shopping and dining hub.
Stop by this area to experience some of the top attractions that Anna Maria Island has to offer, with several locally owned businesses run by passionate owners who truly love what they do.
