Crane Creek (Melbourne) greatly influenced the development of the area. Prior to the development of Melbourne, hunters used Crane Creek to gain entrance into the interior.
In the mid-1860s, three African-Americans, who were former slaves, named Wright Brothers, Balaam Allen and (Captain) Peter Wright were the first pioneers in Crane Creek (Melbourne).
They settled in the area around Crane Creek, which became the present day Historic Downtown area. Each of these men received land on the north and south sides of Crane Creek in the area near (what is today) Prospect Street and Lipscomb Street.
The settlement was first named “Crane Creek” but was renamed Melbourne after the American Civil War. After the Civil War, many pioneer families arrived, and Melbourne was founded in 1867. Melbourne as a village was incorporated on December 22, 1888.
Captain Peter Wright was the first postal carrier in the area and was known as the sailing mailman who delivered mail to settlements along the river. He along with his wife, Leah were the largest landowners in the area and they built a two story home on the river bluff. He was also a community businessman and trader. A historical marker in Overlook Park is a tribute to Captain Peter Wright.
Wright Brothers and his wife Mary Silas Brothers moved to Crane Creek and are known as the parents of the first child born in Melbourne, William Rufus Brothers.
Wright Brothers grandson was William Rufus “Bill” Brothers, Jr who was a World War II veteran and was awarded the Victory Medal. Mr. Brothers was also an educator in Florida including the Melbourne area for over 32 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 191 in Melbourne and Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Wright Brothers was a citrus farmer with 7.5 acres of land deeded to him and signed by the 21st President of the United States, President Chester A. Arthur (1881 to 1885). He is honored with a city park named after him, Brothers Park located between Hopkins Street and Horne Street on Race Street.
The Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is an historic church currently located at 50 West Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, Florida. The church congregation initially organized in June 1884. The church was built between July and November 1886 and the Reverend Dr. William Porcher DuBose presided over the first service on December 27, 1886. It is the oldest established church (June 1884) of any denomination in the City of Melbourne.
Balaam Allen and his wife Salina and Robert and Carrie Lipscomb were at the home of Wright and Mary Brothers when they made the decision to establish Allen Chapel AME Church (now know as Greater Allen Chapel, AME) on the north end of Lipscomb Street founded in 1885. The original church structure still stands just south of (what is today) the intersection of Prospect Street and Lipscomb Street. This was the first church structure (the first house of worship in 1885) in the city of Melbourne.
In 1964 they built a new church at 2416 S. Lipscomb Street with a church bell made of solid brass weighing about 1000 pounds. Greater Allen Chapel, AME continues to be a pillar of support in the Melbourne community after more than 136 years (2022) with Rev. Lorenzo Laws, senior pastor.
Melbourne is located approximately 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Orlando on the Space Coast, along Interstate 95. It is approximately midway between Jacksonville and Miami. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2020, the city has a total area of 49.97 square miles, of which 44.15 square miles is land and 5.82 square miles is water. In 2020, the total population was 84,678 according to the 2020 Census.
The east-west street named Brevard Drive was historically the “center” of town; with addresses called “north” and “south” of this street. The north-south Babcock Street provided the same centerline for “east” and “west” directions.
In the 1950s, Babcock Street was extended north to intersect with US 1. The Melbourne Shopping Center was constructed on Babcock, the area’s first strip mall. Consumers were sufficiently attracted to this new mall, that the traditional downtown, off New Haven, suffered. Urban blight there was successfully attacked there in the 1980s.
A board was created by the legislature to spend a 10% tax on electric bills. This was used by the Melbourne Civic Improvement Board to build the Melbourne Auditorium, the first library and fire station, and various parks. The board was dissolved when Melbourne was merged with Eau Gallie in 1969. That merger doubled the size of Melbourne.
Streetlights were gradually added until, by the early 1960s, streets east of Babcock Street had lights. Lights were added to streets west of Babcock after the early 1960s.
In 1969, the city elected Julius Montgomery, its first black councilman. Mr. Montgomery was also the first African American student of Brevard Engineering College, later Florida Institute of Technology which named their Pioneer Award after him.
Mr. Montgomery was also the first African American Professional hired by NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in 1956. His accomplishments are recounted in the chapter A Man of Firsts in the book We Could Not Fail by Richard Paul and Steven Moss. Some very good reading … We Could Not Fail by Richard Paul and Steven Moss.
Melbourne Beachside has a small presence on the South Beaches barrier island. It is often confused with Melbourne Beach, a separate political entity.
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