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

The Happy Creek Garden

Garden #1

— in honor of Herman Ray & Carroll June Benecke —

The Happy Creek Garden Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, April 9, 2022

1. The Happy Creek Garden Marker

Inscription. Originally named by pirates who distilled rum on its shores, "Happy Creek" was a nearby inlet on North Merritt Island and home to Henry & Carolina Benecke who settled there in the early 1890's and raised six children. Henry was a hunting and fishing guide who made his own fishing nets, boats and guns. This tradition was carried on by his son Herman who taught his three sons. Herman Ray was born in 1919, graduated from Titusville High School in 1938, and was a veteran of WWII and Purple Cross recipient. Carroll June was born in 1927, and was running back and a star player for the Titusville High School football team, graduating in 1947. Ray and June established "Happy Creek Hunting & Fishing Lodge" in the mid 1940's on North Merritt Island with fully equipped rental cabins. They hand constructed their own nets and fishing boats, provided hunting and fishing guide services, and fished the Indian River Lagoon Estuary. In the early 1960's Happy Creek was included in NASA's land acquisition for development of Kennedy Space Center, and in 1961 the families closed the "camp" and moved off the island and settled in south Titusville.

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Ray and June continued to commercially fish the Indian River together until Ray retired in the early 1980's and June in 1995.

Erected by Betty Ann M. Benecke Anderson.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 28° 36.642′ N, 80° 48.476′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Florida, in Brevard County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Washington Ave. (U.S. 1) and Pine Street. Marker located within the Pritchard House Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 424 S Washington Ave, Titusville FL 32796, 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 finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, April 9, 2022

2. The Happy Creek Garden Marker

of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Benecke Family Garden (a few steps from this marker); Carpenter Family Garden (a few steps from this marker); The Campbell Family Garden (a few steps from this marker); The Nelson Family Garden (a few steps from this marker); The “Olde Dawgs” Story (a few steps from this marker); The Pritchard-Boye’ Family Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legend of the Cresent Moon on the Outhouse Door (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crannell Family Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Titusville.

Regarding The Happy Creek Garden. These family history gardens were sponsored by descendants of early families that settled in Titusville and North Brevard County. The plaques record family histories and stories of the development of the local area.

Also see . . . Family History Gardens. (Submitted on April 20, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.