Chip Deacon's (chipdeacon) Blog

This is one location that remains a favored home of the reclusive, privacy-seeking national and international Celebrities. Facts and Rumors abound as to who has taken up residence under the shade of the giant Banyans and Oaks, away from the curious eyes of the public. An undisputed fact is that C...

The History of Terra Ceia Bay stretches back 500 years and more! Tales and Lore have been passed down, documented and recorded for generations to enjoy and learn, share and enjoy, cultivate and nurture as part of the Old Florida Heritage. Immerse yourself into this cultural place with us!        ...

Snead Island is a small island near Bradenton and is considered part of Palmetto, Florida on the north banks of the Manatee River. The island is primarily residential, though there are two private dry boat storage facilities and remnants of a former palm tree nursery.                       Emerso...

The History of Parrish is a notable one for a small town of Florida...  The following text is on a monument in Oak Hill Cemetery: "Oak Hill" Parrish Florida Captain William B Hooker acquired this land from the US Government in 1850. William H Johnson raised Sea Island cotton on the land with Hook...

Myakka is home to the Crowley Museum and Nature Center which features Life in Old Florida! You can learn about the way of life on a farm in John Crowley's days, an original pioneer farmer, and actually take classes in survival skills, self-sustainability, plant growing, livestock rearing and bree...

Lakewood Ranch is a mini-town at the edge of Bradenton in East County on the verge of becoming an Independent City. It is comprised of ten separate "Villages" (half of which still have new homesites still available!), is home to a plethora of schools (16 Pre-K, 8 Public, 2 Private and 7 Higher Ed...

Located in Manatee County, Holmes Beach is the largest of three island communities on Anna Maria Island, which is found on the Gulf of Mexico just south of Tampa Bay. Bordered on the north by the City of Anna Maria and on the south by Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach boasts three miles of gorgeous w...

Ellenton sits at I-75 in East Manatee County and plays Host to the fabulous Ellenton Outlet Mall. This is a great attraction to many people searching for lower prices on brand name merchandise and services. The mall is ringed by businesses that benefit from the off-flow of customers including Res...

Take a walk through the historic fishing community of Cortez Village and visit the old fish houses. Listen to locals tell the tale of yesteryear fishing in the bays and waterways of the Gulf of Mexico. The Cortez Village is a National Register of Historic Places community that has worked hard to ...

The City of Bradenton is to Families as the City of Sarasota is to Travelers... HOME! You can find YOUR NEXT HOME in Bradenton! Families LOVE Bradenton for the Schools, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Restaurants, the Lower Cost of Living and the General Family-Friendly atmosphere that welcomes kids,...