Back in the 19th century, the Gilletts, a founding family of the Parrish area in Southwest Florida, moved to Frog Creek, an untamed territory just north of the Manatee River, and constructed what was known as the Gillett homestead. A typical structure for the time, the wooden building was large enough to house Daniel Gillett, his wife Molcey, and their eight children. It was there that the home remained throughout the late 1800’s and saw the settlement of Frog Creek turn into a relatively thriving area bearing the Gillett family name.