Palmetto is a smaller city in Manatee County, Florida and was named after the palmetto trees that originally stood near the town's initial site. It was incorporated in 1897 and moved its town center from the waterfront to the train station in 1902, after the railroad had arrived. The area around Palmetto was first settled in 1842, the first two arrivals being Joseph and Hector Braden from Northern Florida. Their intention was to build a sugar plantation but Hector was drowned during a hurricane, when he tried to cross the Manatee River on horseback. Joseph continued on and built their sugar plantation and later built Braden Castle, which would eventually become a popular tourist attraction. Sugar is an important industry in Manatee County and there were several plantations dedicated to it. Start your vacation with a self-guided tour of the area in your Palmetto travel trailer rental; don't forget to take photos to show everyone back home.