HISTORY
Parrish is an unincorporated community located near the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 62 in Manatee County, Florida. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The community was established and named by Crawford Parrish. A post office named Parish followed in 1879. The spelling of the name was corrected to Parrish in 1950. Crawford was a rancher and later farmed oranges.
Mr. Parrish hailed from Georgia, as did his wife Mary Bratcher Vanzant who was born in 1841. They moved south following the Civil War to what is now known as the Suwanee River. There they owned both land and slaves. But in 1867 they sold the land and moved again, this time to the Manatee River area.
The couple stayed for many years and built a home on the banks of the river in what is now Oak Hill (lost location). During this time he founded the original village site.
TODAY
Today Parrish is a thriving residential community, located strategically between Tampa to the north and Sarasota to the South. New development abounds including the construction of a new bridge across the Manatee River on Ft. Hamer Road. Parrish, along with Lakewood Ranch, is the fastest-growing part of Manatee County.
The community is guided by three organizations: a. Parrish Civic Association, b. Parrish Foundation and c. Parrish Arts Council.
Parrish is also home to the Florida Railroad Museum, which operates weekend passenger rides round trip from Parrish north about 6 miles to Willow. There is also the Ft. Hamer Rowing Facility.