Railroad service would be extended from Palmetto across the Manatee River to Bradenton in 1902. Bradenton would be incorporated on May 19, 1903. One of the earliest moves made by the municipal government was amending the name to "Bradentown". The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden of Virginia, whose nearby fort-like house was a refuge for early settlers during the Seminole Wars. On December 29, a streetcar line would begin operation going from Bradenton to the neighboring city of Manatee and would go west crossing Wares Creek to the nearby community of Fogartyville. The company operating the line would have financial difficulties likely due to a lack of ridership and would cancel the line in 1906.