Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

John R. Field Homestead

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 8, 2019

1. John R. Field Homestead Marker

Inscription. In 1868, the Field family landed on Merritt Island to start a new life. A year later, much of the family returned to Macon, Georgia, but the two eldest brothers John R. (J.R.) and Samuel J. (Sam) Field remained. Using the Homestead Act of 1862, they claimed over 450 acres with J.R. taking the northern section and Sam the southern plot. Sam used part of his land to help develop the community of Indianola, while J.R. and his family established a homestead. By 1880, the current two-story riverfront house was built for J.R., his wife Eliza, and their two daughters, Irene and Annie Eliza. The first crops J.R. planted were sugarcane and mangoes, but he later found more success in growing citrus. By 1900, he had built an onsite packing house and started to ship Indian River citrus nationwide. As the family grew, so did the house, and several additions were made to accommodate the three generations that lived there. In 1997, the Field house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Alma Clyde, J.R.'s last living descendant to live on the property, passed away in 2013. She left the homestead to the community with the

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intent that it would serve as a museum for future generations to enjoy.

Erected 2019 by Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1048.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 28° 23.887′ N, 80° 42.54′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. It is at the intersection of North Tropical Trail and Pioneer Road, on the left when traveling north on North Tropical Trail. Homestead is located nearby and can be seen by appointment. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 Field Manor Drive, Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Space Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 8, 2019

2. John R. Field Homestead Marker

finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Indianola Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Legacy of Dennis Sawyer (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dennis Sawyer Memorial Park and Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ulumay (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); City Point Community Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); The S. F. Travis Company (approx. 3.1 miles away); Cocoa Village Playhouse (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merritt Island.

Also see . . . Field Manor Foundation. The mission of Field Manor Foundation is to educate Brevard County residents and visitors about the agricultural and social history of Field Manor, through its operation and preservation, educational programming, and museum collections. (Submitted on October 14, 2019.)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 8, 2019

3. John R. Field Homestead Marker

John R. Field Homestead Entrance Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, October 8, 2019

4. John R. Field Homestead Entrance Sign

Photographed by Diane Murphy, August 2024

5. John R. Field Homestead Marker

Photographed by Diane Murphy, August 2024

6. John R. Field Homestead Marker

Photographed by Diane Murphy, August 2024

7. John R. Field Homestead Marker

John R. Field Homestead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alec Steven, October 23, 2025

8. John R. Field Homestead

This photograph shows the house looking east. Looking west from the house's windows, you can see the Indian River.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,066 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 17, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. 8. submitted on October 23, 2025, by Alec Steven of Melbourne, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.