The earliest residents of Manasota Key found a new life fraught with challenges, not the least of which was getting there. From New York, it was a 22-hour train ride to its last stop in Venice. It didn't get any easier after that. What roads there were weren't even dirt lanes, but rather two-wheel ruts through dense woods. One of Manasota Key's earliest residents recalls an early attempt at newspaper delivery: 'Our first Sunday here in 1950, we looked up to see a small plane approaching. Flying low over the house, we heard a thump on the driveway and discovered it was the Sunday paper!' ... more.Much has changed, but the essential charm of Manasota Key remains the same. Still known for its laidback, old Florida atmosphere among soft Gulf breezes, gently rolling surf and miles of white sandy beaches, today's Manasota Key offers the respite you seek in a treasured barrier island address. Simply cross one of the two bridges from the mainland and follow the meandering two-lane road enveloped by lush tropical flora to disappear into the slow pace of island-style living. Manasota Key features a varied assortment of residential opportunities, including single-family homes on sprawling lots tucked within a private, gated environment. Several quality restaurants are nearby, or as close as neighboring Venice.