Jiggs Landing, a Manatee County Park

Always seeking a side trip we stopped by a Manatee County park named Jiggs Landing on our return from the Linger Lodge. Parks are always a delightful surprise whether you find a swing, boat ramp, or a waterfall. Jiggs Landing was no exception.

Jiggs Landing on the Braden River

Manatee County acquired the land as a water shed and restored (as much as possible) the area to the 1950 version of Jiggs Landing which teamed with fish and wildlife. 

Now Jiggs was Alphonso “Jiggs” Metcalf who with his wife, Agnes, developed this neck of the Braden River.  They acquired the land in 1944 to build a fishing camp with a dock, boat launch, store, cafe, and cabins. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jiggsmaggie.jpg 

They must have been characters as Al and Agnes adopted the nicknames for themselves, Jiggs and Maggie, from the "Bringing Up Father" comic strip popular in the 1940s.

Mallard enjoying Jiggs Landing

We spent an hour or so touring the park, reading the kiosks, and absorbing the views of the river, the boardwalk, and nature.  It was a peaceful time on the bend in the river viewing the water, water fowl, and songbirds. 

Yellow Rumped Warbler

The spot was so peaceful and memorable that it inspired a new song... which I believe relates Al (Jiggs) and Agnes (Maggie) and their dream.

Turtle at Jiggs Landing

Jiggs and Maggie 

(c) Marg Chauvin, 2014

(Chorus which repeats after each verse)

Jiggs and Maggie made a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive

They explored Manatee County

For a place wild and free

A bend in the Branden River

Beckoned them to stay

So, they cleared seven acres

Then settled with the bank

Jiggs, he built a sturdy cabin

10 by 20 feet

This little cabin had a no kitchen

No bathroom too

By 1950 there was plumbing

Maggie had painted it blue

Now Jiggs built three more cabins

The porches were screened

Maggie made them pastel colors

For guests to rent

People came from all around

To this rustic camp

Snow birds, locals, families, fishers

Seeking a retreat

After 60 years it became

A Manatee County park

This little landmark known as

Jiggs Landing

Yes, Jiggs and Maggie built a fish camp

In 1945

They preserved a bit of Florida

And kept their dreams alive