Editing Holmes Beach, Florida (section)

==History==
Holmes Beach was named for John E. Holmes Sr., the property developer who started this planned community after [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zogAAAAIBAJ&pg=6818%2C4195067 | title=The Legends Behind Manatee Names | work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune | date=November 23, 1979 | access-date=June 6, 2015 | author=Grimes, David | pages=3B}}</ref> During World War II, Holmes was stationed in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]. Holmes obtained the interest of three others, Frank B. Giles of Georgia, Pedar Mickelsen of Minnesota and Francis Karel of Chicago, to help develop it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Stinemetz|first=Morgan|date=June 7, 2004|title=John E. Holmes' idea became Holmes Beach|work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/LK/20040607/News/605220450/SH|access-date=August 21, 2021}}</ref> In 1947<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=1950–1955|title=A Fisherman's Paradise on Anna Maria Island|url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/2543|access-date=August 21, 2021|website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection|publisher=Harold R. Smith|language=en|format=Postcard}}</ref> or 1948 a small airport was built. One person had a plane at the airport and used it as an [[air taxi]] during the tourist season and was used by residents and visitors taking them to wherever they wanted to go.<ref name=":0" /> Holmes Beach was incorporated on March 13, 1950, during a meeting about incorporating with 46 voting in favor, 13 against and 1 in abstention. Opponents of incorporation argued that tax money from cigarettes and liquor sales would be lost along with county assistance for road maintenance. Those in favor of incorporation argued that it would be easier for lenders to finance new construction on the island and give local residents an equal weight for their voice in their own government. Despite a request not to use anyone's name, Holmes Beach was decided on, although names such as Palm City, Mid-Island Beach, Coquina Beach and Tarpon Beach were considered as well. At the end of the meeting the city's first officials were elected.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 18, 2011|title=Back to the future in Holmes Beach|url=https://www.islander.org/2011/04/back-to-the-future-in-holmes-beach/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Anna Maria Island News|language=en-US}}</ref>

Manatee Public Beach located at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive opened in 1952, originally as Manatee County Public Beach. It was managed by a local [[Kiwanis|Kiwanis Club]] chapter, with all proceeds going to local charity-related initiatives. During the 1950s and 1960s, the beach was [[Racial segregation in the United States|racially segregated]] like many others in the Southeastern United States.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blakemore|first=Erin|title=How Civil Rights Wade-Ins Desegregated Southern Beaches – HISTORY|url=https://www.history.com/news/how-civil-rights-wade-ins-desegregated-southern-beaches|access-date=2020-10-16|website=history.com}}</ref> It is not clear, however, when the beach was officially desegregated. The beach was renamed "Manatee Beach" before being changed to Manatee Public Beach.<ref>{{Cite web|year=1958|title=Manatee County Public Beach Postcard|url=https://cdm16681.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16681coll4/id/2488/rec/14|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Manatee County Public Library System: Digital Collection|language=en}}</ref>

In 1954, Holmes Beach annexed the neighboring subdivision communities of [[Ilexhurst]], Jones, and Casanas, bringing the entirety of Anna Maria Island under municipal governments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=24 Feb 1954, 1 - The Bradenton Herald at Newspapers.com|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/683132508/?terms=%22ilexhurst%22&match=1|access-date=2021-08-10|via=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref>

An airport that had existed closed in 1973 because of the cost to maintain it and that it needed improvements. Between 1975 and 1980, the airport land was redeveloped by the municipal government.<ref name=":1" />