In August 1864, Union naval forces raided the Village of Manatee (now known as Bradenton) and destroyed a large saw and grist mill owned by John Curry and others. Later that same month, Union soldiers of the 2nd U.S. Colored Infantry landed at the Village of Manatee and occupied the town for several weeks.

In 1924, a Confederate monument was erected in Bradenton by the United Daughters of the Confederacy on the grounds of the Manatee County Courthouse.

Information Provided by the Florida Department of State.