Beautiful and historic Palmetto, Florida, is located in Manatee County, just north of the Manatee River and nestled along the Gulf of Mexico. Two international airports, as well as major highways and a growing sea port are easily accessible to the north in Tampa/St. Petersburg and to the South in Sarasota.

When Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto stepped foot on the banks of the Manatee River over 450 years ago, he found a magnificent and fertile place teeming with wildlife. A couple centuries later, pioneer settlers created a home and named the region after the West Indian sea cow that was so often seen in the waters. Palmetto, itself, is named for the beautiful trees found throughout the area.

A strong attachment to culture and history can be found in the everyday life of Palmetto. The restored Carnegie library resides in the Historic District, along with a number of other buildings that demonstrate the history of the area’s growth.

A small town feeling and friendly people is what living in Palmetto is all about. The relaxed pace and natural beauty makes this a tropical oasis, but wide arrays of activities are available. From the annual 4th of July celebration and a Multi-Cultural Festival to the DeSoto Children’s parade and fishing tournaments, there is never a lack of available entertainment.

Money Magazine recently rated the area in the top 20 Best Places To Live In America. Most residential construction is within the past two decades, with homes being much newer than those in the surrounding cities. The neighborhoods, however, maintain an “old Florida” feeling among the Palmetto-lined streets.