Local lore explains that the area's name stems for an early settler named Duette from Canada. While no records indicate this surname purchasing land in Manatee County, in the earliest years of settlement some homesteaders never established legal claim over their land, and therefore a record may not exist.[2] The area was also referred to as Dry Prairie. A post office called Duette was established on July 17, 1888. It remained in operation until January 2, 1907.[3][4][5]
The annual Duette Cracker Fest, an open-air fair and concert, was held to raise funds for education to prevent the proposed closing of the local one-teacher elementary school by the Manatee County School District.[6] In 2016, it was announced that the school was to be permanently closed after a lack of students and financial reasons.[7] The area is also home to Duette Preserve, the largest preserve in the Manatee county system.[8][9]
