Melbourne, Florida is a friendly coastal retirement community and senior vacation area.

Melbourne FL History

In 1888, a group of 23 gathered to create the "Village of Melbourne" by a spoken vote, gaining the benefits provided to towns under Florida law. Up to that time, the small community located on a natural harbor of the Indian River Lagoon had been known as "Crane Creek." The harbor formed where a freshwater creek flowed into the saltwater lagoon. At the time, barge traffic north and south along the lagoon was vital for the latest arrivals on the peninsula.

During World War II, The Melbourne Naval Air Station trained newly commissioned Navy and Marine pilots. It is now part of the Melbourne International Airport. The City of Melbourne merged with the community of Eau Gallie in 1969. The "Eau Gallie" section of Melbourne remains distinct.

While most of Melbourne is located on the Florida mainland, a small portion is located on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon separates the mainland from the island. The island is a narrow strip of land that separates the Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. (In prehistoric times the Lagoon was connected to the Ocean. Today, the only connection is by way of a handful of inlets, including the manmade Sebastian Inlet at the southern end of Brevard County.)

Melbourne Florida – Two Downtown Areas

Melbourne, Florida today features two "old" downtown areas, each with specialty shops and other attractions that senior travelers enjoy visiting. The city is also a popular retirement community for baby boomers.