Melbourne and Eau Gallie

Book excerpt: 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.