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A brief history of Melrose:
Two years after Florida became a
U.S. Territory (1821), surveyors described the area of Melrose as "an
uninhabited wilderness, except (for) a few Indian villages." Their survey
led to the historic Bellamy Road through our lakes region, linking St.
Augustine and Tallahassee.
Still, the area remained isolated
until 1877 when Melrose was platted and plans laid for a canal that would make
it a waterport. The canal opened in 1881 and steamboats (the F.S. Lewis was the
first) then began hauling passengers and freight across the lakes between
Melrose Bay and the railroad in Waldo.
The newly accessible Melrose
attracted not only settlers but winter visitors from the North, many of whom
built fine homes. The local economy went from cotton farms to orange groves,
hotels, and hospitality.
Melrose's "golden age",
during the 1890's when many of its historic homes were built, largely ended
about the turn of the century.
Historic
Melrose, Inc. was
organized in 1988 to preserve and rehabilitate area structures of historical
and architectural significance.
HMI, with the aid of its
membership and the community, sought and received a grant from the Florida
Department of State to prepare a proposal to include Melrose on the National
Register of Historic Places.
In 1990, the Melrose Historic
District, which includes some 72 sites, was placed on the National Register.
In addition to their work in getting Melrose listed on the
National Register of Historical Places,
HMI has many other accomplishments,
including:
- Publishing the Melrose Architectural and Historical
Survey by Murray D. Laurie
- Maintaining Melrose Museum of photographic history
- Co-sponsoring dedication of Melrose state historical
marker on SR 26
- Helping to prepare the Melrose tour guide
- Producing an oral history videotape, "The Magic of
Melrose"
- Producing historical displays and donating historical
materials to the Melrose Public Library
- Conducting fall and spring activity meetings, and an
annual meeting each winter
- Providing community activities, including tours of local
historic sites, displays of antiques and collectibles, and Melrose
memorabilia
- Acquisition of the Melrose Heritage Park
Box 704
Melrose, FL 32666
If You Love
Melrose, Join Us
Mission Statement
Mission: To provide community support for the promotion and preservation of our cultural and historical heritage.
Objectives:
- To promote our cultural and historic heritage.
- To provide support for the preservation of our historical and
cultural assets.
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To provide input for Federal, State, and County level
activities affecting our community.
Strategies:
- To promote our cultural and historic heritage.
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To acquire a site for the development of a Heritage Park which will serve as a History Center and Town Square - Accomplished
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To provide input for Federal, State, and County level actions on historic sites.
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To establish and maintain a museum and archives.
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To provide exhibitions, public programs, performances, education programs, speaker's bureau and publications for interpreting the rich heritage, history and culture of Melrose, Florida and its environs.
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To provide support for the preservation of our historical and cultural assets.
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To collect and preserve materials (including photos, postcards, articles, and artifacts) which describe and illuminate our past.
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To write articles, give talks and speeches, and publish brochures, booklets, and books on local history and culture.
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To conduct classes for the community on various aspects of historic preservation and adaptive re-use.
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To provide input for Federal, State, and County level activities affecting our community.
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To stay abreast of all developments affecting our community
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To make Federal, State, and local level authorities aware of local conditions and communitysentiment.
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