Sunday Favorites: Fogarty Relic up for Grabs

The Tole Fogarty house was built in 1872 and is located on the 31st block of Riverview Boulevard. It is being sold as an accompaniment to a desirable half-acre lot, according to the Zillow listing. The distinctive home, which features a large chandelier hanging from the veranda, is one of the oldest and last remaining structures from original town of Fogartyville. Local historians are calling for a restoration of the home, a feat that would likely take a lot of time, and money, but could be accomplished by the right person.

It seemed Mr. Right came along in 2019 when an investment company called WTF Ventures (yes that’s the real name), purchased the property, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser's website. Most assumed the company would raze the house and develop the parcel but the owner planned to renovate the historic home, even hiring a contractor to conduct the extensive project. However, after the initial demolition was complete, the contractor, who chose to remain anonymous, was told the owner ”changed his mind“ and planned to split up the land and sell it. The wave of hope that the historic home would survive quickly turned to disappointment.

Fogartyville was the original settlement of Four Fogarty brothers. They were mariners who made their living through various seafaring endeavors. In 1865 while sailing a ship north along Florida’s west coast, Captain John Fogarty, Tole’s brother, ducked into Tampa Bay to avoid a terrible storm, according to the book The Singing River by Joe and Libby Warner.

As the storm rolled in, John spotted a vessel in destress. He launched a smaller boat to assist and saved the crew from their sinking ship. The next day, he and his crew traveled up the Manatee River in search of provisions. They found Rev. Edmund Lee’s general store and stocked up on supplies, buying almost all the inventory! Despite the severity of his first visit, John always remembered the beauty of the Manatee River and returned years later to settle the land.

Tole joined his brother John in the winter of 1867-68. The two filed for homestead of a combined total of 173 acres of land. A family home and boatworks were built in the following months, marking the beginning of Fogartyville. The brothers developed a thriving business with the construction of smacks, schooners, sloops and yawls. They also crafted small sailing ships for locals to get around in.

The brothers married and started families of their own. They built a church, a school and a wharf. By 1880, at least 30 families were living in Fogartyville. Tole built his home at the site of present-day Riverview Boulevard. He and his wife raised five children.

In 1903, Bradentown (present-day Bradenton) became incorporated and extended its boundaries to include Fogartyville. The community continued to attract families, but its identity was diminished. Then in the 1920s, the market changed drastically and many of the original descendants moved elsewhere seeking other opportunities. Fogartyville essentially became West Bradenton.

But to old-timers, the area would always be Fogartyville.

The brother's legacy has lasted generations. The Tole home is not only one of the last remaining historical homes in the area, but one of only two remaining Fogartyville landmarks. The only other being the Fogartyville Cemetery. Landmarks such as the Fogarty home need to be preserved to continue the Fogarty legacy to future generations. Is someone out there willing to bring it back to its former glory?