About
The Parrish Civic Association (PCA) was founded on November 18, 1981, as a nonprofit organization officially recognized by the State of Florida under the 501(c)4 classification. This classification was typically used by the State to establish Volunteer Fire Departments. Lamar Parrish and a group of men, who were active volunteers in the community, believed that for the Fire Department to grow, it needed formal recognition as a legitimate fire department. To support this expansion, the department organized Fish Fry Suppers at the Parrish Elementary Schoolhouse, featuring local entertainment from the community. Subsequently, on April 9, 1982, the Florida Legislature created the Parrish Fire District, which was later approved by the Governor. The district’s purpose was to offer fire protection, fire prevention, and rescue services across 97 square miles in unincorporated Manatee County. Operating as an Independent Special District in Manatee County, the Parrish Fire District continues to serve the community.
Accomplishments to date:
- Brought the YMCA to Parrish from 2009 to 2020.
- Between 2012 and 2013, collected oral histories from the descendants of the founding families of Parrish.
- In 2013, the Parrish Arts Council produced a community play called “Red Rooster Tales” to showcase the Parrish Community’s story.
- Featured articles in This Old House book highlighted the century-old homes and structures in the Village of Parrish.
- Launched the annual Parrish Hometown Christmas Event for the entire community in 2016.
- Advocated for and successfully implemented a traffic light on U.S. Hwy 301 and CR 675 with the support of Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace.
- Contributed to preserving the name of Parrish in the naming of the new community high school, Parrish Community High School, in 2019, with the assistance of Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace.
The History of Parrish
The community was named Parrish for the Parrish Family that moved into the area in the late 1800s and gave back so much to this town, such as land for the railroad, church, and school property. The town was bustling with lots of commerce in this era, such as four packinghouses, a blacksmith shop, general stores, drug store, mercantile, grocery, pool hall, post office, doctors, and barbershop. Many of the residents were farmers of citrus, vegetables, as well as cattle. It was a close-knit community, neighbors looking out for each other. Whatever the need, food, clothing, building a barn, mending fences, taking cattle to market, the people all pitched in to help.
The Post Office was Established
A post office was established in 1879. When the paperwork was sent to Washington, the name was misspelled. It was registered as Parish. The post office was moved several times through the years but when the new post office was built around 1950, the Postmaster reviewed the registration papers and found the error, it was corrected to the correct spelling of Parrish.
Parrish Today
Today, Parrish is the northeast center of Manatee County with roads to Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Wachula, Arcadia, Palmetto, Bradenton, and Sarasota, Anna Maria Island to name a few. Parrish is the fastest growing area in Manatee County if you are looking for a community with a small-town feel. Check us out!
