Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk
Photographed by Jamie Cox, October 24, 2011
1. Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk Marker
Originally wooden steps mounted the bluff, providing a means for pedestrians to go from the front street business section to the hotels and residences along the high bluff.
At the top of the steps, along bluff walk, were the Carelton Hotel, built by Emma Strawbridge, and the Idlewylde Hotel. The Carelton was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt almost immediately.
(The Idlewylde was also destroyed.) The second Carleton Hotel burned in 1925.
The steps were a popular place for the young people of Melbourne to meet during their courtship and bluff walk was the local "Lover's Lane" on cool evenings, if the mosquitoes weren't too bad.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 28° 4.791′ N, 80° 36.084′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. It is at the intersection of New Haven Avenue and Front Street, on the left when traveling east on New Haven Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne FL 32901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Front Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Causeway (within shouting distance of this marker); Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Melbourne Hotel (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk. The wooden steps are long gone. There were concrete steps until 2002, when the entire bluff, steps and all, was destroyed to make way for a commercial development that was never built.
Photographed by Jamie Cox, May 15, 2023
2. Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk Marker
The marker is under the clump of palm trees.
circa 1920
3. Original Wooden Trysting Steps
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,601 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 28, 2011, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on May 15, 2023, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
