One of the oldest and most iconic landmarks on Anna Maria Island for over 100 years was the Anna Maria City Pier. I've mentioned it and posted pictures of the pier in a number of blogs over the years. It's a place, we along with generations of locals and visitors, have enjoyed tremendously..
The construction of the 776 foot long pier in 1911 was championed by Will Bean, whose father had homesteaded a large parcel of land on the island, and Charles Roser. The pier opened up the island for tourism and development by giving larger paddle wheel steamships from Tampa and St. Petersburg places to dock. It wasn't until 1922 that the Cortez Bridge was built, which connected the mainland to the island. Beth's mom (NaNa for anyone who may be new to this blog) who was born in 1928 recalls, as a child, crossing over the one lane wooden bridge with her parents.
Both the Bean and Roser families are remembered on the island for their early contributions. The north end of the island is known as Bean Point and the Roser Memorial Chapel, which was funded by Roser opened it's doors as a community church in 1913. There is an interesting side note on Charles Roser. A significant portion of his wealth came as a result of him inventing, and then selling, the recipe and process for making the fig newton to the National Biscuit Company (NABISCO). Both the cookie and the community church are still going strong.
 |
| Roser Memorial Chapel in the early days |
 |
| Roser Memorial Chapel today. |
 |
| The chapel is still used today, but a larger sanctuary has been built. |
Through the decades since the pier was built, it underwent numerous renovations and upgrades. Some of them were due to natural wear and tear. It also took a beating from numerous storms and hurricanes. Strong hurricanes in 1918, 1935, 1974 and 1988 caused significant damage, but the basic structure survived. It looked a little bruised, battered and beaten but was a really cool place for a casual walk or to enjoy a meal. There was constant entertainment provided by the pelicans, who were frequently joined by dolphins and an occasional manatee. There was also plenty of entertainment provided by the numerous fisherman who could be divided into two groups. Those that knew what they were doing and those who didn't have a clue. The "those that didn't have a clue" group was usually the larger group. They posed more of a threat to the fellow human beings they were sharing the pier with than to the fish they were trying to catch.
 |
| NaNa giving Sweet Baby James a ride on the pier. Sept 7, 2016...….one year and three days before the hurricane. |
 |
Family photo on the pier.
Sept. 7, 2016
|
 |
| There was a small restaurant on the right side and a "bait and beer" (two things that naturally go together) store on the left |
 |
| A picture I took the day after the hurricane |
 |
| A photograph from the Islander Newspaper taken shortly after Hurricane Irma |
Plans to build a new pier started almost immediately. However, with numerous issues such as funding, design, contractor selection and permitting it wasn't exactly an overnight process. When we are on the island we spend quite a bit of time at the Bayfront Park so we've watched the process play out. First with the demolition of the old pier, and then the new pier slowly taking shape out into the water of Tampa Bay. I was happy to see that renderings of the new pier showed that it will look very similar to the one that was loved by so many. There will be a restaurant along with a bait and beer store. Of course, it will take a hundred years or so for the new one to develop the character that the old one had.
 |
| Pilings for the new pier being driven. April 4, 2019 |
 |
Repairing the damage done by the barge. Trusses are on the end of the pier waiting to be assembled.
Sept. 28, 2019
|
 |
| We're looking forward to the gate and no trespassing signs coming down! |
According to Anna Maria Mayor, Dan Murphy, in a recent update he gave to the city council the pier is on track to be completed in December. However, shortly after his update, as construction of the restaurant and bait shop were about to begin a barge accidently rammed and damaged a couple of pilings. The pilings are being repaired now and hopefully there won't be any further delays.
As we've sat under the shade of the Australian Pines between Bay Street and the water this week, we've enjoyed watching the construction and looking forward to once again strolling the pier.
NaNa is predicting it reopening on her birthday, September 24, 2020. Beth and I are hoping she's wrong and that it's much sooner!
 |
No blog about Anna Maria Island is complete without a sunset picture.
Sept. 26, 2019
|
