Emerson Point is a 195-acre park located in Palmetto on Snead Island. It is located at the end of 17th St W 
where the Manatee River meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Click here to view a map of where Emerson Point is located at.
I decided to take a drive out there to get some pictures of the area and of the water. I have been there a few times, but until yesterday, I wasn't even aware of what I had been missing. Normally when I go, I drive all the way to the end of Emerson Point to the water. Yesterday, I noticed that soon after you enter into Emerson Point, there is an area off to the left to park your car, so I decided to check it out. I was surprised at what I found!! Located there on top of the hill are still some old remains of an Indian Village and earlier pioneers homes. It was COOL!! This is one of Florida's oldest temple mounds. The temple mound is more than 1,000 years old and was built by the ancestors of the Timucua.
As you are walking up the wooden walkway to get to the top of the hill, there is still an old water cistern and part of an original chimney from the late 1800's there. Once you reach the top, that is the very spot that the Indians and early settlers built their homes. They built it at the highest point in the area, so that if it ever the area ever flooded, they would be safe.
Once up at the top, you have a treetop view of the area. From up at the top, I could see the water. So we walked down the backside of the hill and out to the water. What a view!! The view was beautiful! There were a few sailboats out in the water and you could see the homes in Bradenton on the other side of the water from there.
Located throughout this area of the park are several signs that talk about the early pioneers and Indians that once called this land home. 
There are several hiking trails and walkways to explore in this area and I wish I was better prepared. Next time I come, I will wear a pair of tennis shoes and explore them! Don't forget your bug spray too! We were there in the middle of the day, but the mosquito's were still out and I got bit a couple times.
They have a bike path that goes from one end of the island all the way out to the water at the end.
As you drive the main road of the park, you will also see a few other places you can park and more hiking trails. There is an observation tower that we also didn't get a chance to explore this time, but from the looks of it, if you get to the top of it, you will be able to see all around the island from there and probably out to the water.
If you live in the area or you are visiting, I recommend you check it out! Bring your kids, pack a picnic lunch, wear your walking shoes, don't forget your bug spray and most of all, bring a camera or camcorder!! I took quite a few pictures and would of been able to get more, but I had flip-flops on instead of tennis shoes so I wasn't able to check out some of the hiking trails.
I think I am going to go back again around October or November when it's a little bit cooler and spend the day walking the trails and checking out that observation tower!
*The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Becky Troutt and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
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