Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2016 population to be 54,437. Bradenton is a principal city of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833. It is the county seat.HistoryThe area that would become Bradenton was explored in 1539 by the Spanish during the famous expedition led by Hernando De Soto. Bradenton was established in 1842. The original town of Bradentown was incorporated in 1903. The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during Seminole Indian attacks. The current city of Bradenton was formed in 1943, when the Florida legislature merged the cities of Manatee and Bradentown.Historic propertiesHistoric properties in Bradenton include: Braden Castle Park Historic District, off Manatee Avenue and 27th St East Bradenton Bank and Trust Company Building, 1925, now the Professional Building, 1023 Manatee Avenue, West, Iron Block Building, 1896, 530 12th Street West (Old Main Street) Manatee County Courthouse, 1913, 1115 Manatee Avenue, West Old Manatee County Courthouse, 1860, 1404 Manatee Avenue, East Peninsular Telephone Company Building, 1925, 1009 4th Avenue, West
