Melbourne Beach
In 1883, Major Cyrus E. Graves, a retired veteran of the Union
Army, sailed into Melbourne Harbor. Major Graves was most impressed with the area
and decided to buy government land which was available on the barrier island
across the Indian River from Melbourne. During the next four years, he bought
approximately six hundred acres which comprises present day Melbourne Beach.
The year 1889 was a busy year for Melbourne Beach. The pier,
bathhouse and rail-road were built. The railroad consisted of a single push car
which was used to transport groceries, supplies and people from the dock at the
pier along Ocean Avenue to the Ocean. Prior to 1902, transportation to and from
Melbourne was by a small ferry boat which was a sailboat, later replaced by a motor
launch. The ferry service remained the only means of transportation until the
Melbourne Causeway was built in 1921.
The Town was incorporated in 1923 with a population of a few
hundred residents. After experiencing several big growth periods, the population
of the Town began to stabilize after the Second World War with growth occurring
more evenly. The projected maximum population, based upon past growth trends
and future projection is approximately 4,000 people.
Melbourne beach is a place of small crowds and ultimate relaxation.
Your choice of over 4,000 affordable rooms, hostels, suites,
condos, bed and breakfasts, rental units/cottages or penthouses
are all available. Our fine Melbourne
hotels and motels offer beachside,riverside or mainland
locations. There are also peaceful marinas to dock your boat.
You will find a wide variety of fine restaurants, coffee and
tea shops and cultural opportunities and attractions
such as the Melbourne Zoo, various cultural events and the Melbourne
Greyhound Park. If a day requires you to travel outside of Melbourne,
then your day has just begun. Within a fourty five mile radius
there are many sites, such as the Kennedy
Space Center, Cape
Canaveral, and the coca
beach area's. You will find that Melbourne is a very exquisit
place of interest.
