Anna Maria Island’s 100 Year Old Pier

Take a walk with me – to an old island relic, part of Manatee County that has certainly seen her fair share of history.

Built in 1911, the Anna Maria City Pier is celebrating 100 years of life over the gulf.

We heard about the sleepy beach city, and while traveling through, I noticed a sign indicating the pier’s famous birthday.

I was intrigued.

We spend Father’s Day 2011, taking in the sights of Anna Maria Island, and took a leisure stroll along the 776- foot pier for ourselves.

The Anna Maria City Pier is going through a remodel of sorts. In an attempt to “Save the Pier” citizens can purchase a plank and have their family legacy, memorial or personal note permanently emblazoned for all the tourists, visitors and locals to enjoy – in an effort of historical preservation.

Wonder if An Authentic Life should have her own plank? That would mean I’d need to take frequent visits to ensure the plank was intact, that the pier was still standing, guarding the gulf as it has for over a century.

I was in awe of the notes, names and messages on the planks.

Someone else was in awe of all the scaly little fishies.

I was standing on the edge of history, observing the delicate space where the old planks meet the new planks. Maybe Anna Maria City Pier will live to see another 100 years.

We all should be so fortunate.