Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

City of Vero Beach

Photographed by Diane Murphy, November 24

1. City of Vero Beach Marker (front)

Inscription. (front)
The pattern of community development which occurred in Vero Beach provides insight into some important aspects of Florida's history. Although the coastal waters in the region attracted fishermen, settlement of this area did not occur until the 1880s. During that decade the problem of transportation which had deterred settlers was solved by railroad construction. In 1891 a post office named Vero was established at the home of Henry Gifford who had settled on the site in 1880. When the railroad was extended south to Lake Worth, a depot was built at Vero. With the railroad came tourism and a growing interest in the area. At that time, large scale drainage of swamp land such as that which surrounded Vero was being undertaken in Florida. An example of the way in which investors took advantage of the newly recognized potential of swampy areas may be found in creation of the Indian River River Farms Company. (continued on reverse) (back) (continued from reverse) In 1909 Henry T. Zeuch of Davenport, Iowa, visited the Vero area. He saw land that could be drained and sold to citrus farmers and cattle raisers. A corporation,

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the Indian River Farms Company was chartered in 1912 with stockholders who were chiefly residents of Zeuch's home town. In 1913 the town of Vero was plated at the Company's direction. In 1915 the Vero Woman's Club was founded, an act which signified the vitality of the new community. A club house, located near this marker was built the next year on land donated by the Indian River Farms Company. The planned drainage program was completed in 1917. In that year, maintenance and extension of the drainage area was given over to the State of Florida. The name of the community was changed to Vero Beach in 1925, when the town became the county seat of newly created Indian River County. The Indian River Farms Company was dissolved in 1936. Vero Beach has remained the center of this productive citrus growing region. Sponsored by Vero Beach Woman's Club in cooperation with Department of State.

Erected 1975 by Vero Beach Women's Club. (Marker Number F-243.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 27° 38.395′ N,

City of Vero Beach Marker (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Murphy, November 24

2. City of Vero Beach Marker (back)

80° 24.077′ W. Marker is in Vero Beach, Florida, in Indian River County. It is at the intersection of 21st Street and 16th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on 21st Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vero Beach FL 32960, 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 South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Woman’s Club of Vero Beach Florida (a few steps from this marker); Courthouse Executive Center (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Simmons / Seminole Building (about 700 feet away); Centennial Fountain (about 700 feet away); Maher Building (about 700 feet away); The Pueblo Arcade

"City of Vero Beach Marker" at the intersection of 21st Street & 16th Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, October 28, 2014

3. "City of Vero Beach Marker" at the intersection of 21st Street & 16th Avenue

with buildings of city's Justice Center in the background.

(about 700 feet away); Theater Plaza (about 700 feet away); William Jennings Bryan (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vero Beach.

Turtle sculpture on display outside the nearby Indian River Citrus Museum and Heritage Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, October 28, 2014

4. Turtle sculpture on display outside the nearby Indian River Citrus Museum and Heritage Center

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2015, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2015, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.