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

Valencia Historic District

Photographed by Jamie Cox, November 18, 2013

1. Valencia Historic District Marker

Inscription. The Valencia Historic District was developed during the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s. The Valencia Homes Company was formed in 1924 by local businessmen C. Sweet Smith, Charles D. Smith, L. S. Andrews and Horace R. Bruen. The company acquired a 22-acre tract of land that was formerly the site of the Plaza Hotel and occupied in part by an orange grove. In March 1924 the company platted the subdivision and named it after the type of oranges that grew there, and for a region in Spain. They built impressive entry gates, a waterworks, paved roads, and installed light posts and tropical landscaping. Each lot was 25 feet wide and most buyers purchased at least two lots to build on. Each sale agreement required that the homes constructed must cost $4,000 or more and that they be of Spanish, Moorish or Italian architectural design. The official architect for Valencia was Richard W. Rummell, Jr., who designed many of Brevard County’s most impressive buildings. All of the contributing homes were built between 1924 and 1926 and are excellent examples of the Mediterranean Revival style. The Valencia Subdivision was listed in the National

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Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Erected 2007 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard Heritage Council, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-600.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1924.

Location. 28° 20.208′ N, 80° 43.052′ W. Marker is in Rockledge, Florida, in Brevard County. It is at the intersection of Rockledge Drive and Valencia Road, on the right when traveling south on Rockledge Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rockledge FL 32955, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s 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

Valencia Marker and Dock Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jamie Cox, November 18, 2013

2. Valencia Marker and Dock Sign

Indian River Lagoon in the background.

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lawndale (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Derby Street Chapel (approx. 1.1 miles away); St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris (approx. 1.3 miles away); Edward Postell Porcher House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Emory Lawrence Bennett (approx. 1.3 miles away); Historic Cocoa Post Office (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cocoa Village Playhouse (approx. 1.4 miles away).

Valencia Historic District Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jamie Cox, November 18, 2013

3. Valencia Historic District Entrance

Looking west along Valencia Road

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,461 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.