Florida East Coast Railroad
Henry M. Flagler, Florida East Coast Railroad owner, was influenced to extend his railroad south from Rockledge by a Melbourne resident: E.P. Branch. The railroad tracks were built into Eau Gallie about 1892. Considerable delay was experienced in building the railroad bridge over the Eau Gallie River. The tracks reached Melbourne June, 1893, and the first train reached Melbourne July 3, 1893 (a Monday). The same day the Melbourne State Bank opened its doors. The day before, the first service had been held in the new Congregational Church of Melbourne. Until Flagler could complete his rail line into Miami and later Key West, the F.E.C.R.R. connected in Melbourne to steamboats which carried passengers and freight down the Indian River.
Marker is on New Haven Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
