Melbourne and Eau Gallie (FL) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Karen Raley (Author), Ann Raley Flotte (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2002

Melbourne and Eau Gallie tells the story of two pioneer towns and their coming of age during the last century. From tiny villages, whose early settlers depended on the Indian River for sustenance and travel, Melbourne and Eau Gallie has grown into a unified Space Coast city with more than 71,000 residents. With the railroad in the 1890s and US Highway 1 in the 1920s, tourism, agriculture, and industry blossomed in these midway towns along the Florida East Coast. World War II brought a military, aviation, and technological presence to Melbourne and Eau Gallie that was followed by a flood of new residents tied to America's Space Program. Through it all the Indian River Lagoon has maintained its importance in the lives of the area's people. History comes to life in these pages as readers discover familiar faces, names, places, and events that are distinct to each town and shared by today's unified city. Included are vintage photographs of the historic downtowns, riverfronts, and landmarks like the "Trysting Steps," Sunny Point, and the old bridges.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Authors and sisters Karen Raley and Ann Raley Flotte moved to Melbourne as children in 1957. Karen Raley is a former university history instructor and Ann Flotte is a longtime history buff. Members of the South Brevard Historical Society, they have an enthusiastic love for their hometown. In Melbourne and Eau Gallie, they invite residents past and present to celebrate the birth and survival of these river towns. collections and family albums, with detailed descriptions of the county. This book's singular quality will delight longtime residents and newcomers alike, while assisting the area by preserving its history for future generations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (April 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738514179
• ISBN-13: 978-0738514178
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Correct title of this book is MELBOURNE AND EAU GALLIE, August 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Melbourne and Eau Gallie (FL) (Images of America) (Paperback)

A fun and fascinating read. Text and lots of pictures tell the story of Melbourne and Eau Gallie, Florida, from settlement to unification. Photographs, old postcards, 1931 telephone listings, ads, maps, etc.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wayback Machine, February 7, 2006

By 

H. Keller (Waukesha, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Melbourne and Eau Gallie (FL) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I grew up in the Melbourne area (1963-1978) at a time when the old tourist and ranching base was beginning to fade, and the Space Coast identity was being developed. Even as a kid I always had an eye for "old stuff" but I rarely encountered anyone who had "always" lived there to fill in the blanks about the area's past. Like me, most families we knew were from somewhere else, brought to the area by NASA, the Air Force, or related commercial enterprises.

This book was a delightful exploration of the area and both answered questions I have had for decades, and surprised me with new facts and photos of the way residents of Melbourne and Eau Gallie lived not all that long ago. While you might always want "more" in a local history book like this, "Melbourne and Eau Gallie, Florida" is pretty satisfying as it stands.

I hope that they'll take a look at Indialantic through Cocoa Beach in the future!