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.
Valencia Historic District. . 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 Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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 Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Erected 2007 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard Heritage Council, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council
Click or scan to see this page online
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. Marker 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.
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 869 times since then and 39 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.
