![]() That was the year the area was opened for major settlement by United States President William Howard Taft. More intense settling of North Merritt Island began in 1912. There were small homesteads all along the length of the island. They came from all over the country and started small operations raising cattle, citrus, and other crops. In the late 1800s and early 1900s settlers began to homestead on Merritt Island. MERRITT ISLAND IN THE 1800s and EARLY 1900s Locals probably know who did it, but they are keeping quiet. It is believed some teen age idiots set the fire. The castle was relocated in the 1960s to Parrish Park in Titusville, but burned down in 1967 before it could be turned into a museum. Its location was on the far northern end of Merritt Island near Oak Hill. The shape was chosen in the belief that it would stand up better to hurricanes. Most rooms were shaped like the castle itself: octagonal. Two spiral stairways in the castle had masts from the ship as their center posts. The castle had 22 rooms and some of the timber used in its construction came from the sailing ship Santa Cruz which had been wrecked on the beach near Daytona. He finally said the hell with it and moved back to Italy in 1892. They even partitioned the castle so she had her side and he had his. He built the castle to live happily ever after, but he and his wife didn't get along. He was married to Jennie Anheuser of the Budweiser beer family. To each his own.Īfter Dummitt died, an Italian nobleman named Eicole Tamajo, also known as the Duke of Castlellucia, bought the groves in 1881. When I lived in the urbanized central section, I said I lived "in" Merritt Island.Ī few years later when I moved to a quiet neighborhood in South Merritt Island, I said I lived "on" Merritt Island. Other folks say they live "on" Merritt Island. Some people say they live "in" Merritt Island. The Space Age's influence continues to influence not only Merritt Island, but the entire country. Many subdivisions were developed in the 1960s and are still being developed today.įuture Florida is discovered in the activities at the Kennedy Space Center that helps define Merritt Island. Merritt Island High School was founded in 1965. Modern Florida is in the homes, schools, roads, bridges, and infrastructure that emerged in recent years. It is also represented by the pioneer names on roads such as Crisafulli, Fortenberry, LaRoche, Mathers, Whaley, and many others. Old Florida is represented by the huge wildlife refuge on the northern part of the island and the pioneer homes and cemeteries that remain in all parts of the island. What makes it unique is its combination of three Floridas: OLD, MODERN, AND FUTURE MERRITT ISLAND It is actually a peninsula that extends south for 62 miles from the mainland just south of Oak Hill to its tip, known locally as Dragon Point. ![]() Miami, South Florida, and Keys within 100 miles.
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