Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Front Street
Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 24, 2011
1. Front Street Marker
Front Street was the original business section of Melbourne. It came into existence in the 1880's as dry goods stores, grocery stores, a fish house boat building and the post office were located along the waterfront.
In 1894, Melbourne's second newspaper, The Melbourne Times, was founded in a building on Front Street. The population of the town at the time was 157.
The Riverside Hotel was on the east side of Front Street. A city dock extended 1,400 feet into the river and steamboats stopped here. The southern end of Front Street was originally called Hatterman's point, then Stewart's point, and later Vorkeller's point.
Fire destroyed all of the commercial buildings along Front Street in 1919 because the fire engine became bogged down in sand and never made it to the fire. A citizens' bucket brigade was unable to cope with the blaze.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 28° 4.789′ N, 80° 36.067′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is at the intersection of New Haven Avenue and Front Street, on the right when traveling east on New Haven Avenue. Near the East end of the Melbourne
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Causeway (within shouting distance of this marker); Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Post Office Site (about 600 feet away); History of the 1900 Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Congregational Church of Melbourne (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florida East Coast Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Campbell Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.
Regarding Front Street. Since the railroad had come through Melbourne, after the fire the business district was rebuilt up near the railroad tracks a block west.
Additional keywords. Indian River Lagoon
Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 24, 2011
2. Front Street Marker
View to the east, toward the Indian River Lagoon from Front Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 859 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
