Cocoa in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Edward Postell Porcher House
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 27, 2017
1. Edward Postell Porcher House Marker
Inscription.
Edward Postell Porcher House. . On October 31, 1916, citrus grower and inventor Edward Postell Porcher and wife Byrnina Peck Porcher, moved into what was the grandest house in Cocoa. The house is a unique example of Neo-Classical Revival Style architecture interpreted in coquina rock. It featured ten bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a partial basement, and an attic. Mrs. Porcher's love of card games can be seen in the house's design as the facade incorporated club-, diamond-, heart-, and spade-shaped stones. Lost elements included a porte-cochere on the north side, swimming pool, and large packinghouse on the river bank behind the house that processed produce boated from the family's groves on Merritt Island. The Porcher family lived in the house until Edward's death in June 1939. The estate passed to his son Arthur, who died the next month. The house was sold and used as a hotel for a brief period. In 1945, the City of Cocoa purchased the house and it became city hall. The house was restored with funds from city and state historic preservation grants. It was used as event space and office space for local businesses following the restoration. The Porcher House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
On October 31, 1916, citrus grower and inventor Edward Postell Porcher and wife Byrnina Peck Porcher, moved into what was the grandest house in Cocoa. The house is a unique example of Neo-Classical Revival Style architecture interpreted in coquina rock. It featured ten bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a partial basement, and an attic. Mrs. Porcher's love of card games can be seen in the house's design as the facade incorporated club-, diamond-, heart-, and spade-shaped stones. Lost elements included a porte-cochere on the north side, swimming pool, and large packinghouse on the river bank behind the house that processed produce boated from the family's groves on Merritt Island. The Porcher family lived in the house until Edward's death in June 1939. The estate passed to his son Arthur, who died the next month. The house was sold and used as a hotel for a brief period. In 1945, the City of Cocoa purchased the house and it became city hall. The house was restored with funds from city and state historic preservation grants. It was used as event space and office space for local businesses following the restoration. The Porcher House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Erected 2017 by Brevard County Historical Commission, Brevard County Tourism Development Council,
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and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-937.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1916.
Location. 28° 21.232′ N, 80° 43.514′ W. Marker is in Cocoa, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is on Delannoy Avenue north of Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 434 Delannoy Ave, Cocoa FL 32922, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Edward Postell Porcher. Florida Citrus Hall of Fame (Submitted on January 1, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 27, 2017
2. Edward Postell Porcher House Marker with house in background
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 27, 2017
3. Edward Postell Porcher House
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.