The River District in Bradenton has some great old houses that really take you back to the days when life revolved around family life, the front porch, and taking the streetcar downtown. This home on 26th Street captures that nostalgic period perfectly. It was built in 1925 and is still going strong today, though nicely updated to eliminate the drawbacks of the olden days, like tiny closets and no a/c.

Talk about curb appeal. It’s set on over an acre of land, most of it beautifully manicured lawn. The Manatee River is just a couple of houses to north and the street itself boasts several of the great old showplace homes of the District. It even has an old fashioned porte cochere, a sort of drive-through carport set to one side, very typical for big old Southern homes of the period.

Inside you’ll find 5 bedrooms, 3 and a half baths, and a nice rambling layout. Naturally the floors are wood, and they look spectacular. I counted 3 fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom. The kitchen has been remodeled and is completely up to date, with crisp styling that blends very well with the vintage look.

There’s alley access to a little red barn behind the home and much of the property is fenced. And as you drive around the neighborhood you’ll notice that many of the old homes are being fixed up (if they hadn’t been already) and that if you want “in” you better act now. It’s Bradenton’s grand old neighborhood, and it’s looking better than ever.

So—guess the price. I was thinking around a million, but no--they’re asking $749,900. Hmmm….

120 26^th St. W., Bradenton. For more info call Brenda May of Boyd Realty at (941) 750-8844.