Palmetto Historical Commission

05/30/2026

The Palmetto Historical Park needs your help preserving the history and legacy of Coach Eddie Shannon and Lincoln Memorial High School. Please see below and if you have photos, mementos or memories to share, contact Carla Favorite at PHP.

05/29/2026

Today is National Alligator Day. We don't have any alligator-related posts about Palmetto, although there's plenty of gators here. We're sharing a little Manatee County alligator history we hope you'll like.
Did you know live alligators once lived at the Manatee County Historic Courthouse? From 1923 to 1950, live gators lived in a moat around the courthouse fountain and were tended to by grounds keepers. It's our understanding as the gators got bigger, they were relocated.
In 1950, someone decided this wasn't the best place for a bunch of gators to live and they were removed. The fountain was converted to a wishing well which was later moved to the premises of the Manatee County Historical Records Library.
Another interesting piece of local history, the Historical Records Library was once one of the coveted Carnegie Libraries, built with help from donations by Andrew Carnegie. We have lots to share about the history of Carnegie libraries in our area, including the beautiful Palmetto Carnegie Library (photographed here), but today's Gator Day.

05/28/2026

This event is being presented by our sister museum, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum. If you lived in Manatee County in the 70s or 80s, you probably worked at Tropicana or you know someone who did. We are looking forward to this presentation next Tuesday the 2nd at the Ag Museum. Reservations are required. This event is free to the public and includes a tour of the Agricultural Museum.

Join us at the Ag Museum on Tuesday, June 2nd from 1 - 2:30 PM to take a fascinating journey into the rise of Tropicana and the citrus legacy that shaped our region. Get an in-depth look at the life of Tropicana’s founder, Anthony T. Rossi, and discover how his journey from taxicab driver to tomato farmer shaped Tropicana’s global brand today. 🍊🚕🍅

This event is co-hosted by Palmetto Library and includes a short lecture, a book discussion on the biography of Anthony Rossi, and a guided tour of the Ag Museum.

Registration is free but required. Register today at https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/16145861.

05/26/2026

We're looking forward to this entertaining and informative presentation on Saturday June 6th. Lunch will be provided to attendees courtesy of the Historical Commission. Come join us!

Save the date for Palmetto in Postcards! Join us on Saturday, June 6 at 10 AM for a special presentation by guest speaker Jonathan Torkos, Historical Resources Librarian at the Historical Records Library. He’ll explore Palmetto’s rich history through postcards from the library's collection. After the presentation, stick around, lunch will be provided courtesy of the Palmetto Historical Commission. Free to attend - no reservations required!

05/20/2026

Tonight we're remembering guava. Some of our board members recall their families growing the fruit and helping harvest it, but we especially remember the guava jelly produced by the Palmetto Canning Company and the company's place in Palmetto history.
The cannery was established in 1925 and moved to its permanent location in Palmetto in 1945. It was founded by Captain John Greenlaw, who served as yacht captain to J. P. Morgan from 1919 to 1927. In the early days, fruits and vegetables, predominantly tomatoes, were canned there. The term "cannery" eventually became a misnomer, as from 1950 on, the plant produced its goods in bottles and other containers rather than cans.
Five generations of the Greenlaw family have operated the company since its inception. In 2025, the decision was made to stop producing the Palmalito Jelly products, including the always popular guava jelly. This was the end of an era but the company still operates state-of-the-art production lines today and packages all kinds of products, even cooking wines.
We have fond memories of Palmalito jelly and of stopping off at the little company store out front, which carried more varieties of hot sauce than we thought existed. Palmetto Canning will always have a place in our town's history.

05/16/2026

Did you know? These programs for kids are great. The link below (soarin4.org) has the programs being offered and their locations. Check them out this summer. They're perfect for pre-school kids.

05/11/2026

Please join us at the Palmetto Historical Park for Mayor West's presentation on Manatee County's history, past and present. Complimentary Pub subs will be served following the presentation. See below for more information. The event is free to the public.

Join us as Mayor West shares highlights of Manatee County’s history, past and present! Stick around afterward to enjoy a free lunch (Publix sandwiches) sponsored by Palmetto Historical Commission. Free to attend - registration is not required but recommended!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988578266125?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/09/2026

A number of you read our post about "Taylor the Tailor." When he died, Mr. Taylor left his estate to the Children's Home Society of Florida and set aside only $500 for his own burial. It wasn't enough, but thanks to students from Palmetto public schools, he received a proper burial and headstone. We went to the 10th St. Cemetery this week and found Mr. Taylor's grave.
Thank you for reading our posts and sharing your memories.

* Permission was granted for trained park staff and PHC Board members to clean Mr. Taylor’s headstone using proper preservation methods. This work will be completed in the coming weeks.

05/07/2026

This should be a super interesting speaker event. Please join us. Lunch will be provided to attendees courtesy of the Palmetto Historical Commission.

Save the date for Palmetto in Postcards! Join us on Saturday, June 6 at 10 AM for a special presentation by guest speaker Jonathan Torkos, Historical Resources Librarian at the Historical Records Library. He’ll explore Palmetto’s rich history through postcards from the library's collection. After the presentation, stick around, lunch will be provided courtesy of the Palmetto Historical Commission. Free to attend - no reservations required!

05/07/2026

We're proud to support the Palmetto Historical Park and assist in the great things it does for our community. With help from the Manatee County Clerk's office, the City of Palmetto, and our own fundraising efforts, we are able to offer events free of charge to the public year-round. Our board members and volunteers often assist with events and we're grateful for their help. Hope you'll come by the Park and the Manatee County Agricultural Museum soon and enjoy these great local historical resources. The Park offers private tours for groups, so let us know if you're interested in knowing more.

05/04/2026

Today we remember a Palmetto businessman and philanthropist who has a special place in local history - Taylor the Tailor. Sometime before 1910, Thomas Taylor moved from England to Florida. He became a beloved resident of Palmetto for his generosity to children and the needy. Taylor had several successful business ventures but was perhaps best known for his tailor shop on 4th Street in Palmetto.
This excerpt from a 2021 Bradenton Times article by Merab Favorite describes a little of what made him so special: "Often described as a dapper-looking man, Taylor was a colorful character with many talents. He was an entrepreneur and advocate for children's welfare and many consider him to be Palmetto’s most generous man. However, it was the children of Palmetto who ultimately came to Taylor's aid at the end of his heartwarming tale."
Taylor was a visionary and a philanthropist - he invested in tax sale properties, renovated them, and then sold them at affordable prices to young couples starting out. He was a godsend to people who were struggling to find affordable housing during the Depression. When Taylor learned that patients at a lower-income hospital rarely received flowers, he made arrangements with a local florist to provide them with fresh flowers.
Married briefly, Taylor had no children of his own, but he invested in the children of Palmetto. He sponsored dances and parties for the local public schools. He hosted Palmetto Elementary School's Christmas party every year and donated enough money so that each child received a stocking with fruit and candy, as well as a book and a toy.
When he passed away in 1954 at the age of 70, he left his estate to the Childrens' Home Society of Florida but set aside $500 for his own burial. Because this wasn't enough to cover the cost, students from Palmetto Elementary raised the money to ensure he received a proper headstone. His grave is located in the 10th Street Cemetery.
Photos: Thomas Taylor, the location of his tailor shop in historic Palmetto, and one of the Christmas parties he sponsored that was attended by hundreds of local children.