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

Melbourne Ice Plant

This building is on the National Register of Historic Places

Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 25, 2011

1. Melbourne Ice Plant Marker

Inscription. This building was started in December, 1926, by Florida Power and Light Co. as a 150-ton ice plant. The plant was to be built in units, with the first unit having a 50-ton capacity. Cost of the building was about $100,000.

However, the ice plant never went beyond the 50-ton capacity, probably because other ice plants were built closer to the South Florida vegetable fields.

Before this plant was built, one in Fort Pierce shipped ice to Melbourne on the Florida East Coast Railway. Someone would meet the train with a horse and wagon and deliver ice door-to-door.

Those who wanted to make ice cream in hand-cranked home units would bury a block of ice in a hole in the ground until Sunday rolled around, then they made ice cream for the whole family.

Erected by South Brevard Historical Society and the City of Melbourne.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1926.

Location. 28° 4.972′ N, 80° 36.344′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Harbor City Boulevard (U.S. 1) and Tangerine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1604 South Harbor City Boulevard, Melbourne FL 32901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Green Gables (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Congregational Church of Melbourne (approx. ¼ mile away); Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); History of the 1900 Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Myles Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Campbell Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Florida East Coast Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tin Can Tourist Campground (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

More about this marker. The building is obvious from US 1, especially when travelling north. However the marker is behind the building and not obvious.

Regarding Melbourne Ice Plant. The Ice Plant was still selling ice retail at least until the early 1970s.

Photographed By Kenneth K Bowman, February 18, 2018

2. Melbourne Ice Plant Marker

Marker is to the left of the light pole. This side of the building faces south.

Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 25, 2011

3. Melbourne Ice Plant Marker

Photographed By Kenneth K Bowman, February 18, 2018

4. Melbourne Ice Plant Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,654 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. 2. submitted on February 18, 2018, by Kenneth K Bowman of Melbourne, Florida. 3. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. 4. submitted on February 18, 2018, by Kenneth K Bowman of Melbourne, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.