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

Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel

Photographed By Jamie Cox, April 21, 2014

1. Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel Marker

Inscription. The first Carleton Hotel was built on this site about 1887, under the ownership of Jennie and Emma Strawbridge, sisters, who were natives of Sharon, PA.

That hotel burned in 1904. At the same time, the Idlewylde Hotel to the north, also burned.

The Carleton was rebuilt almost immediately by John Ferguson and was managed by his wife, Lillie Robinson Ferguson, until 1915. It was then sold to L.G. MacDowell.

On a March night in 1925, the night policeman saw a blaze in the Carleton’s kitchen and ran to rouse the guests. He fired his revolver several times as an alarm. Chief of Police Joe Brannen rounded up the firemen, but the blaze was already out of control. There was one loss of life: a laundress died in the flames.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 28° 4.832′ N, 80° 36.142′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is at the intersection of East Strawbridge Avenue (U.S. 192) and Riverview Drive NE, on the left when traveling east on East Strawbridge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne FL 32901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Front Street (about

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500 feet away); The First Congregational Church of Melbourne (about 500 feet away); Causeway (about 500 feet away); History of the 1900 Building (about 700 feet away); First Post Office Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florida East Coast Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Campbell Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel Marker Situation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jamie Cox, April 21, 2014

2. Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel Marker Situation

View is facing east, across the Melbourne causeway.

Carleton Hotel, 1910 image. Click for full size.

3. Carleton Hotel, 1910

View facing east. The Carleton Hotel is the large building on the shore.

Bluff and Beach at Carleton Hotel Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jamie Cox, April 21, 2014

4. Bluff and Beach at Carleton Hotel Site

The shore of the Indian River Lagoon and the slope down from the river bluff.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2014, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 970 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2014, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.