The brief history of Manavista began when Kimball C. Atwood (1853-1934) purchased 265 acres of land that was situated a mile east of the city of Palmetto on the north side of the Manatee River in 1892.

[2] It wasn't until 1897 that Atwood was able to procure new trees from the Reasoners, who owned and operated a plant nursery, had recently received them in stock.

[2][3] Meanwhile, the grove had bounced back from the two consecutive freezes and by 1915 it was producing 80,000 boxes of grapefruit, 1,200 of which were handled daily.

The American ambassador to the United Kingdom regularly purchased crates and the grove's fruit was served to officials in the royal household.

[2] Eventually, the plant closed and in 2012, Feld Entertainment purchased the property and set up their new headquarters there.