Melbourne Beach:

Melbourne Beach:

Memoirs from Coastal Florida

$19.99

Publication Date: 11th October 2006

In addition to the beautiful palmetto lined beaches and the rhythm of the rising and falling tides, one of the major attractions of Melbourne Beach is that, unlike the "space age" communities of concrete block in the surrounding area, the town "had a history." Thomas introduces readers to an array of unique characters, describes the changes that Melbourne Beach has undergone since the turn of the 20th century, and relates his concern about the effects of "progress" on the natural beauty of his adopted home. Learn about the town's excitement over its first stop sign, and how a woman makes a sec... Read More
Format: Paperback
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In addition to the beautiful palmetto lined beaches and the rhythm of the rising and falling tides, one of the major attractions of Melbourne Beach is that, unlike the "space age" communities of concrete block in the surrounding area, the town "had a history." Thomas introduces readers to an array of unique characters, describes the changes that Melbourne Beach has undergone since the turn of the 20th century, and relates his concern about the effects of "progress" on the natural beauty of his adopted home. Learn about the town's excitement over its first stop sign, and how a woman makes a sec... Read More
Description
In addition to the beautiful palmetto lined beaches and the rhythm of the rising and falling tides, one of the major attractions of Melbourne Beach is that, unlike the "space age" communities of concrete block in the surrounding area, the town "had a history." Thomas introduces readers to an array of unique characters, describes the changes that Melbourne Beach has undergone since the turn of the 20th century, and relates his concern about the effects of "progress" on the natural beauty of his adopted home. Learn about the town's excitement over its first stop sign, and how a woman makes a second one for weekends after she becomes the victim of Melbourne's first automobile accident. Meet Orval Gardenour, the town's first real policeman, who finally gained respect by rescuing a loggerhead turtle from the trunk of a poacher's car, and experience the Great Cat Hunt of 1930, in which seventy-four strays met their demise.

During the forty-five years that Frank Thomas has lived in this small community on Florida's eastern coast, he has taken it upon himself to dig into old records and document the oral histories of the "old timers" who made the town what it is today. The result is a witty, poignant account of Melbourne Beach residents' adventures, victories, tragedies, and comedies,
Details
  • Pages: 96
  • Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
  • Imprint: The History Press
  • Series: American Chronicles
  • Publication Date: 11th October 2006
  • State: Florida
  • Illustration Note: 100% Mono
  • ISBN: 9781596291744
  • Format: Paperback
  • BISACs:
    HISTORY / United States / General
    HISTORY / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
Author Bio
This photographic record tells the story of Melbourne Beach from its earliest Ais Indian inhabitants to the individuals who helped the town grow and prosper during Florida's boom. With images drawn from his personal collection of photographs, postcards, and memorabilia, resident and historian Frank J. Thomas has created a wonderful tour of Melbourne Beach through the years. Its charm and vibrant past as chronicled in this book are sure to entertain and inform both longtime residents and visitors.
In addition to the beautiful palmetto lined beaches and the rhythm of the rising and falling tides, one of the major attractions of Melbourne Beach is that, unlike the "space age" communities of concrete block in the surrounding area, the town "had a history." Thomas introduces readers to an array of unique characters, describes the changes that Melbourne Beach has undergone since the turn of the 20th century, and relates his concern about the effects of "progress" on the natural beauty of his adopted home. Learn about the town's excitement over its first stop sign, and how a woman makes a second one for weekends after she becomes the victim of Melbourne's first automobile accident. Meet Orval Gardenour, the town's first real policeman, who finally gained respect by rescuing a loggerhead turtle from the trunk of a poacher's car, and experience the Great Cat Hunt of 1930, in which seventy-four strays met their demise.

During the forty-five years that Frank Thomas has lived in this small community on Florida's eastern coast, he has taken it upon himself to dig into old records and document the oral histories of the "old timers" who made the town what it is today. The result is a witty, poignant account of Melbourne Beach residents' adventures, victories, tragedies, and comedies,
  • Pages: 96
  • Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
  • Imprint: The History Press
  • Series: American Chronicles
  • Publication Date: 11th October 2006
  • State: Florida
  • Illustrations Note: 100% Mono
  • ISBN: 9781596291744
  • Format: Paperback
  • BISACs:
    HISTORY / United States / General
    HISTORY / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)
This photographic record tells the story of Melbourne Beach from its earliest Ais Indian inhabitants to the individuals who helped the town grow and prosper during Florida's boom. With images drawn from his personal collection of photographs, postcards, and memorabilia, resident and historian Frank J. Thomas has created a wonderful tour of Melbourne Beach through the years. Its charm and vibrant past as chronicled in this book are sure to entertain and inform both longtime residents and visitors.