Melrose in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Historic Banana Community

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 31, 2024

1. The Historic Banana Community Marker

Inscription. The settlement of Banana was located along Etoniah Creek, one mile south of present-day Melrose. The community existed before the Civil War and was the predecessor to Melrose. Settlers originally from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia may have selected the creek. In the 1870s, Banana was self-sufficient through the successful farming of crops such as corn, peanuts, and sugar cane. The community included a post office-mercantile store, Eliam church, cemetery, and gristmill. Turpentine processing for naval stores also existed in Banana. The Orange Springs-to-Starke Road once passed east of the Banana Post Office and Mill Pond. Remains of the bridge across Etoniah Creek near the mill are still visible. Locals picked up their groceries and mail through the Banana storefront combination. A two-story building with a gristmill was owned by Dr. George Washington McRae (1829-1900). Built shortly after the Civil War, an iron wheel ground up corn brought in by local farmers and was heard all around the community. Operation of the mill continued until the 1930s. Mill artifacts are preserved and owned by Historic Melrose,

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Inc.
A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2023 by Historic Melrose Incorporated, Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High School History and Archaeology Club, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1218.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 29° 42.58′ N, 82° 2.935′ W. Marker is in Melrose, Florida, in Putnam County. It is on Florida Route 26 just east of Cypress Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Melrose Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 SR 26, Melrose FL 32666, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast.

It is also in the American South.

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 of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 31, 2024

2. The Historic Banana Community Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trinity Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Melrose (within shouting distance of this marker); Melrose World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Melrose World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Melrose Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Melrose United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Melrose Woman's Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Melrose High School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melrose.

Also see . . . Banana, Florida. Grokipedia website entry (Submitted on July 31, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,417 times since then and 195 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.