Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
John H. Sams Homestead
The Sams family came to Brevard County from South Carolina in 1875 to take advantage of the 1860 Homestead Act. The family consisted of John Hanahan Sams, his wife Sarah, their five children, John's brother William Sams, and his sister, Catherine DeVeaux Sams. The Sams Homestead consists of two buildings. The first, a single story home, was originally constructed in Eau Gallie on property homesteaded by John H. Sams in 1875. The family decided to move nearer to other relatives on North Merritt Island and the house was rafted up the Indian River in 1878 to the present site. It is the oldest dated structure on Merritt Island and a prime example of Florida vernacular construction. In 1884 Sams was granted a homestead deed for 156 acres and by 1888, built the second two-story home adjoining the older house on the property. Sams served as Superintendent of Schools for the county from 1880-1920, while growing citrus and pineapples. John H. Sams died in 1923 and the homes were occupied by his descendants until 1995. Archaeological excavations at the site discovered a prehistoric Native American occupation site that dates from approximately 5,000 BC to 1250 AD, and also a late Pleistocene fossil site.
Erected 2010 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-575.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 28° 28.372′ N, 80° 43.1′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Tropical Trail and Possom End Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6195 North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Luke's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); We Are “Go” For Launch (approx. 4.1 miles away); 1957: Cold War Cooperation (approx. 4.1 miles away); Saturn V (approx. 4.1 miles away); Global Television Arrives (approx. 4.1 miles away); Getting History Off the Ground (approx. 4.1 miles away); Chasing the Russian Bear (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merritt Island.
Also see . . . Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area. North Brevard Business Directory website entry (Submitted on August 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.