It might come as a surprise, but much of Anna Maria Island's development was funded by the invention of the Fig Newton. Yes, you read that correctly--a sweet, soft pastry filled with fig paste played a significant role in the island's growth.
To understand the connection, we have to start at the beginning. George Emerson Bean became Anna Maria Island's first homesteader in 1893, settling on the north end of the island, now known as Bean Point. Life on Anna Maria was challenging. The island, prone to erosion, was home to mosquitoes, rattlesnakes, alligators, and the worst of all wild beasts, human squatters. Supplies, mail, and news arrived by boat. The early settlers built a pier for steamships, which stopped if a flag indicated freight or passengers, according to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.
The Cobb family's arrival marked the island's initial development. They produced Anna Maria's first white baby in 1897 and established its first businesses: Cobb's Marine Ways and The Club House on the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Bean's son, George Wilhelm Bean, and his associates formed the Anna Maria Beach Development Company in 1911. This venture was funded by his business partner Charles M. Roser's sale of the Fig Newton recipe for $1 million.
Roser, a cookie maker from Ohio, likely based his invention on a British pastry commonly brought to the U.S. by immigrants. This pastry consisted of a crumbly outside with a scoop of jammy fig in the middle. Lacking fresh figs, Roser used dried figs, mixing them with applesauce, orange juice, and zest. He sold the recipe to Kennedy Biscuit Company, which named the cookie after a town in Massachusetts, according to the article "Fig Newton History and Invention of the Cookies" by Mary Bellis.
The investment from the Fig Newton sale led to the construction of streets, sidewalks, cottages, a water system, a dock for steamships, and a bathing pavilion where the Sandbar Restaurant is now located, according to the Anna Maria Historical Society.
By 1912, Anna Maria Beach had blossomed into a burgeoning resort destination under the guidance of the Anna Maria Beach Development Company. A promotional booklet from this era offers a glimpse into the island's development, highlighting its natural beauty, community facilities, and the founders' visionary planning. The company was led by prominent individuals, including G.W. Bean, the President and General Manager; Roy S. Hanna, the Vice-President; Charles M. Roser, the Secretary and Treasurer; and W.C. Richards, the Resident Manager stationed on Anna Maria Island.
The brochure showcases photographs of a significant catch made by tourists during the winter of 1912, emphasizing the island's reputation as one of the best fishing spots on Florida's coast.
Visitors were invited to the company's office for souvenirs and postcards, promising a warm welcome and the opportunity to explore the island's offerings. The brochure highlighted the availability of good accommodations and furnished at attractive cottages rates. A coupon included in the brochure allowed prospective visitors to request more information and scenic views of the island, with no obligation to purchase land.
"See for yourself what has been done to convert and island -- a wilderness two years ago -- into the most attractive resort in the South," the brochure states.
According to the brochure, there were no other island resorts in Florida at the time that had a church and school. The church, Roser Memorial was advertised as nonsectarian, with the building donated by John Roser as a memorial to his wife. The pulpit is supplied regularly by ministers of different denominations. At the time, Anna Maria also had a public school, erected by the county school board in recognition of the rapid growth of Anna Maria.
The pamphlet also highlights Anna Maria Beach's most notable features, including year-round bathing conditions, beautiful white sandy beaches and clear waters which were advertised as free from undertow and perfectly safe for unattended women and children. For entertainment purposes, an over the water casino was being planned, with a toboggan slide, pavilion, refreshment parlors.
Lots on the island were marketed as unparalleled investment opportunities with affordable rates, low payments, no taxes or interest, and a discount for cash purchases. Each deed includes a clause prohibiting the sale of intoxicants on the property but came with a guarantee that each lot will be cleared, graded, and prepared for building, with a 4-foot 6-inch sidewalk installed and a water main laid for connection.
The Anna Maria Pier was also advertised as the finest pier on Tampa Bay, extending 776 feet. The pier featured a fishing tackle store, boat rentals, and a restaurant.
The surprising funding from the Fig Newton sale significantly contributed to transforming Anna Maria Island from a rugged wilderness into a thriving resort destination. This investment laid the foundation for its development, including infrastructure, community facilities, and promotional efforts that showcased the island's unique appeal and potential.
