If I seem to be focusing on old wrecks in downtown Bradenton, well, I’ve got a couple more. Please bear with me while I get this out of my system.

315 8th St. West

First, at 315 8th St. West, there’s this American classic circa 1920, located right behind the post office. (There’s a similar house next door but otherwise the neighborhood is mostly parking lots.) This particularly house has a Meet Me in St Louis kind of feeling, and much of the interior is original—just what you’re looking for in these kind of houses. Note in particular the various fireplaces (great period mantels with mirrors and columns), the paneling in the front hall, the built-ins in the dinning room and kitchen (complete with leaded glass.) There’s a great old-fashioned front porch and the garden is picturesquely overgrown with vines and snake plants, plus a koi pond and a pavilion that collapsed long ago.

The house comes in at just over 1,800 square feet and is listed as having five bedrooms and two baths. (I haven’t been in it but I did stare in the downstairs windows for a couple of hours.) It has a more modern addition in the rear and the layout seemed a little eccentric. There has been some updating. The windows are new and not in period but certainly not a disaster. There’s a modern kitchen, minus appliances. The price is confusing. The MLS lists it as $67,900 but a sign in front says $75,000. Call ReMax at 941-954-5454.

2509 8th Ave. W.

If  the above house seem like a little too much urban pioneering, take a look at 2509 8th Ave. W., in the Wares Creek area—a much more comfortable neighborhood. It was built in 1930 and has a “Colonial cottage” look. It’s got three bedrooms and two baths, complete with the original claw foot tubs. The price is right ($49,995) but it needs a lot of work. Call Hook and Ladder Realty at 941-554-4044.