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

Florida Institute of Technology

Photographed by Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012

1. Florida Institute of Technology Marker

Inscription. A 37-cent donation, given to Florida Institute of Technology founder Jerome P. Keuper (1921-2002), would launch one of the most remarkable stories in American higher education. Keuper, a scientist working at Cape Canaveral, founded Florida Tech in 1958 to meet a critical need for scientists and engineers in America's race for space. Florida Tech quickly attracted the world's foremost rocket scientists to its halls. It awarded its first honorary doctorate in 1962 to astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom. Among its first visiting professors were the legendary rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and Edward Teller, the father of the hydrogen bomb. Over the years Florida Tech expanded its course offerings to take advantage of its unique location where the land, sea, sky and space come together. It has done so while maintaining internationally recognized excellence, and its ties to the space program. It counts among its graduates five astronauts, including two who flew together on Space Shuttle Discovery in December, 2006, Joan Higginbotham and Sunita Williams. A Florida Heritage Site

Erected by Florida Institute of Technology

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Alumni Association and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-610.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is December 2006.

Location. 28° 3.965′ N, 80° 37.491′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. It is on South Country Club Road, on the right when traveling north. 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 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 of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Little Red Schoolhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of First Permanent Log Cabin (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lincoln Hotel

Florida Tech Campus and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012

2. Florida Tech Campus and Marker

(approx. 0.9 miles away); Holy Trinity (approx. one mile away); Line Street Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Union Cypress Sawmill (approx. 1.3 miles away); Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tin Can Tourist Campground (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Other markers no longer nearby. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (was approx. one mile away but has been confirmed missing); Henegar School Complex (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This has to win the award for the best-landscaped marker.

Regarding Florida Institute of Technology. Founder Jerome Keuper's last name is pronounced "Cooper".

Additional keywords. FIT F.I.T. college university

Florida Tech Marker Landscaping image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jamie Cox, March 22, 2012

3. Florida Tech Marker Landscaping

This marker has its own bench, sidewalk and landscaping circle.

Photographed by Diane Murphy, June 2023

4. Florida Institute of Technology Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2012, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,564 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2012, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. 4. submitted on January 4, 2026, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.