The smallest memories can last a lifetime.
“Royal Palms”
Home of PROF. Nichols
The building located at 9707 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria was Built in 1913 and sold to Professor Nichols as a winter get away and also as a rental.
A few short years later, around the year 1920, there were a total of 60 cottages that the Anna Maria Beach Company had built and were renting.
Original Island Blueprint
Anna Maria Fl.
Out of all the buildings in the early years,
The Royal Palms was one of the first.
It was drawn up in June 1911 by the Anna Maria Beach Company, started by George Bean and Charles Roser, long before anything existed but the Pier itself.
City Pier of Anna Maria, Fl. Shown above.
Over 109 years, many changes came along for this building, and followed were many stories and fond memories. Most individuals remember this location as the beloved Sign of the Mermaid, as it was for a respectable 30 years - Others might remember a time when this building was a local daycare too.
Sign of the Mermaid Restaurant shown above.
Crayola Wallpaper, discovered by Joshua F. during the construction/restoration process of the building. After hearing about the building’s history of being a daycare, it was thrilling to find some evidence left behind for even earlier days.
We are anticipating creating many great memories with the community and our lovely visitors. It’s important to us that we share the history, the love, and create new memories with all of you on the way.
We would like to share the incredible history with you and if you have any fond memories or photos taken at 9707 Gulf Drive - over the years, we’d love to see and hear all about them too.
Memories at 9707 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.
If you’d like to share any information with us about this location and what it means to you, please feel free to fill out the form below! We look forward to hearing all the stories and memories you created at 9707.