Sebastian, located in an area of prehistoric Ais Indian culture, emerged as a fishing and agricultural community and a trading post in nineteenth century Florida. The first white settler to arrive to this stretch of the Indian River was a German native named August Park in 1865. After a few months of traveling to purchase supplies from other communities along the Indian River Lagoon, Park decided to build a supply store in the area. In the 1880s, the settlement became known as New Haven for the first postmaster, Thomas New, and subsequently Sebastian after the nearby St. Sebastian River.

Living on Florida's Treasure Coast, early residents salvaged materials from offshore shipwrecks. One resident-salver, German-born Paul Kroegel, also played a leading role in the establishment of America's first National Wildlife Refuge. From his family's home on the shores of the Indian River, he observed pelicans and other birds nesting on a nearby mangrove island. Troubled by what he also saw--plume hunters venturing over to the island to slaughter these birds for their feathers--Kroegel enlisted the help of famed ornithologist Frank Chapman in establishing a permanent bird sanctuary. Their partnership resulted in President Teddy Roosevelt designating Pelican Island as a National Wildlife Refuge on March 14, 1903. Since the establishment of this first national refuge, some 500 others have been designated in the United States.

Today, visitors to Sebastian can explore Pelican Island, take part in the annual Clambake Lagoon Festival, tour the Old Town Sebastian Historic District, or visit the Sebastian Historical Museum located in Old City Hall and operated by the Sebastian Area Historical Society. The current City Hall is housed in the Old Elementary School. Built in 1926, City Hall offers a unique example of Mediterranean Revival style. Built around 1911, the Bamma Vickers Lawson House is on the National Register of Historic Places. A preserved example of vernacular architecture, the house offers a window on a simpler time, when Sebastian was a town of manicured cottages, citrus groves, and busy fish houses.

This podcast made possible through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council. Script written by Naomi Williams. Narrated by Sandra Averhart.