HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/2002 (2) 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958
Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570
City Council Information Letter
November 8, 2002
Preliminary Submission - Sebastian Historic District
Per authorization recently offered by City Council relative to historic
districting in Sebastian, I am pleased to report that both staff from the
Department of Growth Management and historic preservation consultant
Anna Jackson were able to assemble an initial submission proposal to the
United States Department of the Interior for the Sebastian Historic District
National Register Nomination. As securing such a designation can be a
rather arduous process, attached you will find a copy of the application,
including a boundary map referencing the district's overall location. The
review process is very similar to our experiences of nearly two years ago
when the City of Sebastian initiated successful pursuit of a National Register
Designation for the Old Sebastian Elementary School/City Hall, including a
presentation to the State of Florida Historic Preservation Board of Directors
in Tallahassee. If all goes well at that level, a formal recommendation to
incorporate a designation will be forwarded to the Department of the Interior
in Washington D.C. for final consideration/authorization.
Countywide Telecasts of Sebastian City Council Meetings
I received word yesterday afternoon that staff from Indian River County has
forwarded our request for periodic countywide rebroadcasts of Sebastian
City Council meetings to the Board of County Commissioners to solicit
direction at that level. Prior to making this arrangement however, staff from
the County Administrator's Office solicited feedback from Vero Beach city
officials regarding the request, resulting in the attached written response
from City Manager Rex Taylor expressing vehement opposition accordingly.
Essentially, this position revolves around the notion that the existing joint
agreement formally exist between the City of Vero Beach and Indian River
County exclusively, and therefore a third party should not be permitted use
of the channel. As you will recall however, our request was never to use
City Council Information Letter
November 8, 2002
Page 2
their channel as a primary means of providing governmental television
access (Sebastian Government Channel 25 serves that purpose quite well),
but simply to afford an opportunity for Sebastian City Council meetings to
simply be aired countywide twice monthly. I am not aware of any
prohibitions regarding such an arrangement. As previously reported, the
City of Sebastian has allotted program time for Indian River County matters
on several occasions since Channel 25 began broadcasting early last year.
Given the City of Vero Beach's position regarding this matter however, I am
no longer optimistic that permission will be granted.
'Student Government Day Educational Television Pro,qram'
Barbour Multimedia Production has recently completed editing what will
essentially become Sebastian Government Channel 25's first produced
public access cable television program. Last month's Student Government
Day activities were very well administered, resulting in youth and educator
participation from each school in the Sebastian River Area. The
approximately 90 minute long educational program will air during the
afternoons of next Tuesday and Wednesday, repeatedly from noon until
4:30 p.m. In addition, video cassettes of this production were delivered to
all area schools, in an effort to offer additional tools and techniques to help
educate young people relative to the role and function of local government.
Veteran's Day 2002,
Just a reminder that City Hall will be closed Monday November 11th in
observance of Veteran's Day. Although normal business operations will
cease, a number of non public safety employees will be assigned to various
tasks during the morning hours, primarily to accommodate a brief Veteran's
Memorial unveiling ceremony scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. For those of
you who have an opportunity, please feel free to join us.
Enclosure(s):
Application Packet - Historic District Designation
Letter from to Assistant County Administrator Joe Baird from Vero Beach City Manager Rex Taylor - Channel 13
My Documents/[nfoLetter'i 55
. xR ST AR AC SON
HISTOItIC ?RE$.~RYATtON!$T
860 PAINTED BUNTING LANE
VE[RO BEACH, FL 32963
Tel: (772) 559 - 9445
Eraail: i~£ISSANA? @,aol,c om
October 31, 2002
Ci~3~ of Sebastian
C/o Terrence P~ Moore, CiD7 Manager
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, F132958
Dear Terrence,
Enclosed please find the preliminary submission for the proposed, "Old Town Sebastian
Historic District." ARer farther h/storical and investigative research, I was able to extend
the proposed boundaries to include some buildings along U.S.1 and farther east. The
district is meant to represent the largest concentration of historical buildings linked to the
development of Sebastian since the advent of the railroad in 1893.
As you may recall, the pregminary submission will be reviewed by an eraployee of the
Division o£Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation for the State of Florida.
During the review process, ! will be coordinating with thek office in order to produce the
final submission. Please be aware their suggestions may result in some changes to the
enclosed documents including the proposed boundaries.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me at 794-2379.
I sincerely thank you!
Christiana E. Jackson
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
REGISTRATION FORM
'[, Name of Property
histonc name OLD ToWN SEBASTIAN HISTORIC DISTRICT
other names
Adapted for the
PROPOSAL
of Properties in Florida for
Nomination to the National Register
of Historic Piaces
Location
~treet & number PalmettoAve., Louisiana, Ave.,Makn Street, U S i. Washln~on, a~d
Riverside Drive
city or town SEBASTIAN
state FLORIDA code
3, Owner Awareness Statement
[] not for publication
[] vicinity
~ county ~TD~ RIWER ,_code zip code 32958
A'-s the owner, or official representative of the owner, of the property identified above, [ am aware of this proposal
for its nomination for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. I have been advised of, the procedures for
. . sal the State Historic preservation Office and the Florida Nationst Register Review Board,
review of the propo by ...... nrnn~rl~ at the discret on of the State Historic Preservation Officer. ]
and for the formal nomlrlatlon et t[]~ r--r---,
understand that I will be notified of the date and place of the public meeting at which the proposal wilt be
considered by the FIorids National Register Review Beard, and that I will be given an opportunity to submit written
comments and to appear in person in support of or opposition to the nomination of the property.
At this time I support oppose ~ reserve opinion on this proposal.
Signature of property owner or representative
Date
~ -, Dro,.ertu (according to count}., property appraiser's office)
Attach continuation sheet if necessary
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN HISTORIC DISTRICT INDIAN RIVER. FLORIDA
Name of Pn313erty County. and State
5. Ciassificstion
Ownemhip of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property
(Check as many t~c0(es as apply) (Check, only one box) (Do not Jnclu0e any previously Jisted rasourcas in the count)
[] buildings Contributing Noncontributing
~ d~tnct
[] site
~ structure 29 ]1 buildings
[] object
[] private
[] public-local
[] public-State
[] pul~iic-Feaeral
Name of foisted mulfipie property listings
(Enter "NIA" if property is not past of a multiple property listing.)
2 sites
structures
obiects
4] 15 total
Number of contributinff resources previously
listed in the Nationat Register
6. Function or Use
HL~uric Functions Current Functions
(Enter r_~sgasias from instmotions)
DOMESTIC/SINGLE D~,rELL1NG
DOlv[ESTIC/MULTIPLE DWELLENG
COMMERCE
(Enter catego~e~ from inatructjor~)
DOMESTIC/SINGLE DWELLING
DOM]ESTIC/MULTIPLE DW~I 1 JNG
COM]VfERCE
A, ~h;L-,;t~ ral Class'fication
Materiais
(Enter categones from instructions)
F1LAjV~ VBRNAUCLAR
/VlASONRY VB~ACULA~
MODERN
(Enter categories from instructions)
foundation Concrete Piers, Brick
wali~ Wood
rnnf Metal
nfher .A~halt Shingle
Metal Shingle
Narrative Description
[Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuations shes{m)
OLD TOIV~ SEBASTLAN HISTORIC DISTRICT
~of Pro~
8. Statement of significsnce __
~plicabie National' Reaieter criteri~
~ ¥ n one or mom ~ to~ the c~ena quailing the
(~a ' ,
for NMional R~mter hsfing.)
~ A Prope~' is ass~iated ~th events tha~ have mabe
a significant contribution broad pa~ems of our
hi~o~.
~ B Prope~ is associated ~th the lives of persons
significant in our past.
~ C Pro~ embodies the di~in~ive cha~ctefi~ics
~ a ~, period, or mMhod of ~n~ruction of
reprints the ~ of a maker, or po~ess~
high aAi~ic values, or represents a significant and
di~inguishable e~i~ ~ose components lack
i~dividual di~in~ion-
~ D Prope~ ~s yielded, or is likely to yield
information impo~nt in prehisto~ or histo~.
Criteria Considerations
(Mark ~¢, in ail the b~as that aAoly.)
Property is:
[] A owned by e religious institution or used for
religious purposes.
[] B removed from its odginal location.
[] C a birthplace or grave.
INDIAN RIVBP~ FLORIDA
Count7 and State
Areas of Significance
(Enter c,3tegoneS from ins[ructions)
[] Agriculture
[] Architemure
[] Archaeology
[] Community Planning
[] Commeme
[] Education
[~ Early Settlement
~ Health/Medicine
Period of Significance
1893
Significant Dates
1893
1920
1946
Significant Person
Cultara[ Affiliation
[] industry
[] Maritime History
[] Military
[] Politics/Government
f-~ Recreation
[] Social History
~ 'i-ransportation
Othen
[] D a cemetery,
[~ E a reconstructed building, objeX, or structure.
Architect/Builder
r-} F a commemorative property.
[] G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years
Narrative Statement of Significance
(E.~am the signifmanse of the pmpe~ on one or more continuation sheets.~
~hical References
Bibliography
(Cite+be bookS, articles, and other sources used ~n prepanngthm form on one or more continuation sheets
,.O_LD TOWN SEBASTIAN I-IISTORIC DISTRICT
10. Geographica~ Data
Acreage of Proper~¥
~,~DL~d'~' R/VEK FLORIDA
Count7 and State
UTM References
(Place additional references on a continuation sheet.)
Verbal Boundary Description
(DeecdDe the bour~clanes of t~e property cna continuation sheet.)
Boundary Justification
(EXplain ~hy Me boundaries were sale=ted on a continuation sheet.)
t4. Fon-~ Prepared By
name/title CHRISTIANA E. JACKSON
oroan~zation Pi~SERVATiON CONSULTANT. CITY' OF SEBASTIAN.
· street & number 860 PAINTED BUN/TNG LANE
¢itv or town VERO BEACH
state
Additional Documentation
Continuation Sheets (All information on continuation sheets must b~ tgped.)
J~ap$
date OCTOBER 3 I. 2002
teleohone 772-794-2379
ZiP code ~-963
A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) Do not write upon or attach labels to this maI,
A Sketch map for historic distri~s and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.
Photographs
Representative black and white photographs of the property.
(Do not write upon or attach permanent labels to the photographs.)
Additiona~ items
(check v~th the area H~stor~c Sites $~ciaJist at [850] 487-2333 for any addltJ~aJ ~terns)
Property Owner
name N/A
street & number
city or town
teleehone
state ~ ZiD code
NPS Form 10-gO0-e
United States Department of the interior
Nationaf Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number '7 Page
OMB Approva! Ncz ~02~-001~
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN HISTOPdC DISTRICT
Sebasfiaa, indian River County, Florida
SUMMP~RY
The 01d Town Sebasfan Historic District is located on the ridge in the C~t..- of Sebastmn west or th Sebastia~
Inlet across the Indian Kiver Lagoo= The proposed district encompasses b~torically sig~fica~t resources on
either side o£ ~ railroad u-adxcs along Louisiana Avenue, ?almetto Avenue, lxcmin Street, U.S. Highway 1
South Central Avenue), Washington Pi. and Indian Kiver Drive. It contalm the largest
(formerly ' oastnct cons~s of 5
concentration of Wood Frame Vernaenlar structures in the city of Sebasuan. The .... 6
buiidings, 41 of which contribute to the historic character of the d/strict, and 15 non-contr~uting buildings.
~welve (11) were constructed after the ne~hborhood's period of significance and four (4) have been
significantly altered. There are 09 primary contributing resources compared to 11 non-contributing primary
resources m the proposed district. Finally, there are a small number of metal storage sheds built after !952.
SETTING
The City of Sebastian is loomed between the St. Sebastian River and the inciian River Lagoon on the East Coast
of central Floricta at the northern end of ~ia~ River County.. It has a population of ! 6,125 mad is situated
ten miles north o£-Vero Beach (the cou~W seat)· Sebastian
approximately twenty miles south of Melbourne and -
has a sub-tropical climate and is principally a resort and residential city. The river, once the major highway for
· ' ' economic vein for the local family owned fishing
Sebasfi~'s early ~ront~er settlements, remama a major
businesses and benefits the city as a recreation area. Sehasti~m is known for its close proxim~ to pelican
Island, the nation`s first lqa~ional Wildlife Refuge. Paul Krnegel, who was designated the first ~eder Game
Warden by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, was one of the Sebastian area's early settlers.
The proposed Sebastian Old Town Historic District is set high on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge with some scenic
views of the Indian River. It is within a block to the current C~: Hall that was originally built in 1928 as
Sebasti~'s CJrommar and Jumor ~ School. The district developed with the advent of the railroad in 1893
and was the center and focus of the town's daily social and economic aztiviry for many years. Although U.S.
I-Eghway 1 (formerkv South Central Avenue) was built through the di~rict, the small town atmosphere, v~Sth
~hich the residents identify, has been preserved. Characteristics re.flecfive of the sim,pie, hard- working folks
who settled in Sebastian are evident inthe oetails of th rustic architecture, roads ano landscapes. The distri~
exhibits the pattern of growth consistent with the Progressive, Boom and Post-War eras in Florida.
~ The school is a IMecliten-anean Revival style braiding designed by the Ft.]herce ~rch~tecmre firm Hatcher and ~unke I[ is
listed on the National Register o£Historie places.
NP$ Form 10-90G-a
(~86) OMB Approval Nc,, 1024-001~
United States Department of the interior
Nationa~ Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number ? Page 2
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN HISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, indian River County, Florida
PErYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The Sebastian Old Town Historic District is a smal2 area thru developed prlm~rily with the advent of the
railroad in 1893. The train suddenly provided a more efficient mode o£rransoortation than the riverboats and
completely changed the settlement pattern that had previously fronted the riv~er. As people moved to Sebastian
after 1893, homes and businesses were constructed closer to the railroad tracks along the sand ridge. Smelt
agricultural farms sprouted up westward along Louisiana and fishing became a viable commercial indnsuT.
The proposed district consists o£a portion of Sebastian which developed with the advent o£the raikoad and
remMned the village hub throughout the 1950's. Significant buildings that remain within the district's
boundaries include Sebastian's Ih'st library, doctor's office, town hall~ and theatre.
The Nlly topography in the district is a prominent characteristic in the landscape. (PHOTO 1) The elevation
rises ~rom the river's shoreline towards the west atop the sand ridge? lvlajor landscape features include the
Indian River Shoreline, the Sebastian City, Dock (Formerly the Eagle Co. dock) and the railroad tracks.
(PHOTO 2, PHOTO 3) A sinai/park, owned by the City o£Sebastian, is another significant feature and is
located at the bottom of the ridge near the River's shoreline across from the Hardee Oak with views of the
Indian R/vet Lagoon. (PHOTO 6 ) There are a number of mature trees scattered throughout the are~_ The
Hardee Oak, which once stood in Pont of Sebastian's only m~n~ion, was planted in 1891 by A.G. Hardee at age
19.3 It was spared from destruction by his mother when t~e sidewalks were installed ha the 1920's and is listed
on the Florida Master Site File. (PHOTO 4 ) Dense clusters of mature trees exist from the original homesteads
including large silk oaks ofren used as wind breaks for local citrus g?oves. Native plants in the district
associated with the sand ridge consist of scrub oak, scrub hickory, ~nd scrub pine. (PHOTO 5 ) Seagrapes,
hibiscas aJ~d a ValSety of Pa,lrns, are commoll vegetation throughout the district.
The physical street plans, subdivision names, street names, plot plato, and designated open spaces within the
Sebastian Old Town Historic District remain very similar according to area maps from the earn 1900's. ~
Subdivisions that were platted in the early 1900's, such as A.G. Rose, Braddock, Viekers and ;~V.A. Martin,
retain the origln~l names of those prominent families who settled or purchased propert3r ii1 that area of
Sebastian. N~clm~mes that were invented by early residents, such as "Flow- well" road. are still used and add to
the districts small-town charm.(pHOTO 7 ) ·
Louisiana Ave., 1Vmin Street, Palmetto Ave., and Central Ave were the only streets in Sebastian for a long time?
Louisiana and Palmetto Avenue began as pioneer trails and they have had the least improvements of all the
2 The sand ridge is part of the ancient Atlantic Coastal Ridge, a signitican topographical feature in Indian River County.
'~.,4 Historic Tour of the,$ebastian Area, 2~d Edition 1998.
4 See attached plat maps of the Sebastian Area.
~ More Tales of~ebastian (Sebastian River Area Hi~orical Society, [1992] ), Preface.
NPS Form 1O-900-a
(~-so)
United Star,es Department of the interior
Naf. iona[ Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF H STORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number ? Page
OMBApprovalN~. 1024-00'i~
OLD TOWN SEBAST~kl~: HISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian River CounD', Ftorida
streets in the district. (PHOTO § ) They are located on the west side of the railroad tracks and rerun, narrow,
· ' Streets that were originally
meandering roads with sandy shoulders mmdst dense vegetatzon.(PHOTO 9 ). the river. Late~ the'~ were
bumpy dirt roads, were paved in the 1920's with shell fi:om the shell mounds along
paved with asphalt to better accommodate the car and growing population· Sig-aiJScant streetscapes include
sidewalks along Main Street and U.S.I (South Central Avenue). ( PHOTO 10) They were installed in the
1920's when both streets were widened as part of the town's planning efforts. U.S.1 (South Central Avenue)
continues to see improvements to accomoda[e the increasing rraf[ic~, however lower speed i/mits and
beautification efforts, help support the integrity, o£the area. (PHOTO 11)
Changes, which have taken place in the district, reflect the evolution and pattern of S~oastian's development·
]For example, as the town grew inthe ear .ly 1920's, agricultural outhuildings that were part of the earlier
homesteads along Louisiana were moved closer to the roadside to house local families. (PHOTO 13, PHOTO
14) Significant structures such as the Old Train Depot and Sebastian's first two-story wooden schoolhouse no
longer exist. The train station was moved after the 1950's and later burned. The school was dismantled in 1927
v~hen residents felt they needed a more modern building. The density, o£buildings along Main S~reet today is
less prominent than early photographs of the area because fires, by the 1930's, had caused the destruction of
many, of those two-story wood vernacular buddings. A few were replaced by mostly one-stow haUow tile and
concrete block structures, but even some of these were demolished or altered as a result of the Federal
Governments push for new highway construction projects after the war. (PHOTO 12)
Although Sebastian is now a rapidly growing city, the district retains a small town atmosphere. Buildings in the
district served a variety o£ funmions in the past including residenti~ a=m-icultuml, commercial, professional and
civic ~urposes. The pre-dominant use however was mixed until the !950's. During the early 1900's, it was not
uncommon for residents to operate businesses, community functions and services from their homes· In fact, the
first publicly owned City Hall, which housed the first police department and first volunteer fire d~ptutment, was
not constructed umil t957. (PHOTO 15 ) ~n 2002, the character of the district is largely residential on the west
side of the railroad mc'ks while mixed use, commercial and professional uses are more commonly i%und on the
east side. (PHOTO 16, PHOTO 17,) Some light industrial buildings, built after the 1960's, are located outside
the dks~ut boundaries on the northeast side of Louisiana Avenue. (PHOTO 18)
The district is significant x%r having the largest concen~ation of early twentieth century vernacular structures in
the C~' o£Sebastian. The majority of the buildings in the district are wood frame vernacular reszdences.
Setbacks are xmr y regular per street except along Louisiana Avenue· The single~familv dwellings, which
comprise most of the district, range from small one- story, cottages to larger two-stow dwellings. Some have
rustic metal and wood post fences outlln~ng their property lines. (PHOTO 19 ) Larger, two-story buildings are
located along U.S.i. (South Central Avenue). Masor~ buildings, which are few in number, are mostly Modem
in style and made of concrete block or hallow tile. (PHOTO 20, PHOTO 21)
N~$ Form
United States Department of the interior
Nafiona~ Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTIN[JATJON SHEET
OMB Approval No. 102.~-001,~
Section number ? Page 4
OLD TOWN SEBASTL6~ I:[ISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida
Secondary structures associated with most bul/dings are small metal or wood storage sheds~,re~ed mr" the mos~
part later than the period o/significance. (PHOTO 22)
Architectural Styles
WOOD F1L~VlE VERNAC[TLAR
The wood frame vernacular style is a folk type of arckitecture that utihzes local building materials and has no
other apparent visible .s .ryle. Usually these were modest dwellings built ~, local craftsman constructed withom
architectural phtrm. The vernacular was a common method of construction in early Florida and buildings
characterized with this style usually lack distinct architectural features or omamemation characteristic with a
defined style. Generally, wood vernacular buildings were constructed in response to their surroundings.
Porches, large windows and welt-ventilated rooms are some common characteristics. The wood-vemacui~
style in Sebastian was a common practice in the late 1800's and early 1900's and was practiced by the hard-
work/ng families who serried there.
The Bamma Vickers Lawson house is an excellent example of a wood vernacular building in Sebastian from
the earl), twentieth century. (PHOTO 23 ) it is listed on the National Register o£HJstoric Places and was built
circa 1900. The building is a two-story wood-sided, side-gabled plan structure with orig/rml 2/2 double hung
sash windows. The honse features a steepl~ pitched metal roof and has decorative latticework tmdemeath the
wood L-shaped porch on the east elevation.
The Stephen Vickers House, nem door, is anothm, excellem examoleoCthewoodvernacnlar ~.,a~~ _ ~ o~.~.,~. Tapered
wood porch supports supported by brick 13iers on the ~ont porch are an element characteristic o£the m-aftsman
style popular from 1905 - 1930.6 (PHOT~O 24)
Other Wood Vernacular structures include the first Towrt I-hli built bythe Woodmen of the World in 1913. the
J. Beugnot Honse circa 1900 and the Gulledge/Letchworth House c. 1925. (PHOTO 25, PHOTO 26, PHO~TO
27)
MASONRY V]ERNACULAR
Masom'y Vernacular is another common form of architecture found in Florida. Vernacular architecture refers to
structures built of local materials in a functiozml style devised to meet the needs of common people in the/r time
and place. These structures were usually bulk by. sel~-taught builders and without a professional designers or
architects. They are generally composed o£brick~ stone, hollow clay tile or concrete.
~frginia McAlister and Lee McAlister, A F~eld Guide to Arnerica~ Houses, (New York: Al~red A. IGaop£, 1984), 454.
NPS Fonm 10-900.-a
United States Departmen, o~ the interior
Nationat Park Service
OM, S Approva/ Ne.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONT NUATION SHEET
Section number ? Page
OLD TOWN SEBASTtA2< HISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, India~ River Count)', Florida
According to Stephen Oiausen in 1989 in his description of the masonry vernacular style in the Hallstrom
House lviaster Site File record, "With the com~g o£the American industrial Revolution, mass mantffacmrers
became the pervasive influence over vernacular house design. In Florida, most examples pre-dating 1920 were
brick, bur a number of eider examples feature rough faced, east concrete block popularized 95 Head Hobson
Richardson in h/s Romanesque buikt~gs of the late t9t~ centan3,." 7 Hollow clay' tile and concrete block w~re
commonly used in the Masonry Vernacular buildings of the 1920's and 1930's. After World War II until the
present, concrete block became the most popular building component oZthe Masonry Vernacular style."
An example of the Masonry Yernacular style in the district is the VF~lliam Braddock House on U.S. 1 (PHOTO
28) It has ~argely ortgmm 1/1 double hung sash windows. Like the Ste hens Vickers house across the strut
CLI.S.1, formerly South Central.Avenue) this building was influenced a bit by the era~sman style. This
/nfiuence is apparent in the triangular knee braces at the gable ends of the main building and front porch roof.
The house was built circa 1919 and was the first brick (veneer) house in Sebastian. In addition, it is the only
house in Sebastian known to have a cellar. This house is also associated with having the first refrigeration unit
in the city.. Members of the Braddodic family built other large dwellings outside the district and owned a
substantial amount ofprop~' in the area.
MODEP~N
After World War II traditional s~les were not as popular as variations o£modem styles that began just before
· ,, ' .... ~ ' er the 1V'xmimal
the war. According to "A l~ield Guide to Amer;can Houses by ¥ ~rg~ma and ~ee McAlist ,
Traditional, Ranch, Split-level, Contemporary and Shed were the most common modem styles since 1940's.
The minimal ~aditiona! style, dommam in the !940's and !950's, were generally one story and had simplified
detailing, dominant front gables, and low roof pitches.
. · ~- ~ ' dinSebasti~n ltwasatimeofgrowthandchangeforthe
Signineant examples exxst ~rom the po~-war perm
city. Examples of the modem style inthe distr~ct are a building located at il00 Main Street, the Harbor Lights
Motel and the Sebastian Methodist Church. (PHOTO 29~ PHOTO 30, PHOTO 3 I).
Stephen Olausen, The HalJ. strom House, ILesearch as part of the Master Sire File Record on the Hallstrc~n House located
Tallhaasse, Florida, the Bureau of I-]istoric Pr~ervatieax.
NP$ Form
[Jnited States Department of the interior
Nafiona~ Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONT NUATION SHEET
OMB Approval No. I024-OWiB
Section number ? . Page 6
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN EffSTOPdC DISTRICT
Sebastian~ Indian River CounD,, Florida
Contributing Resources:
List of Contributing. Resources
There are a total 0£40 contr~outing resources, including outbuildings, in the Sebastian Old Town I-I/storic
District and 28 are primm-y buildings. Many were significant to the development o£the town for being
associated with Sebastian's early citizens. The residence at 1063 Louisiana Avenue has had some fire damage,
but is still considered a contributing resource, because it was the fist doctor's office in town and the fire did not
completely destroy the building's kistor/c integrk3,. (PHOTO 32 )
MSF#
IR00095
Street Address L Name
Louisiana Avenue
1016 Louisiana Ave.
~~ields House
Function --~.~ Yr. Built
ires c.1914
IR00g 19 1024 Louisiana Ave. Res.
IR00§23 1044A Louisiana Ave.
IR00924 1048 Louisiana Ave. Res.
IR00097
1053 Louisiana Ave.
] 061 Louisiana Ave.
1063 Louisiana Ave.
1065 LouisianaAve.
7 I IR0009g
James Gray
ouse
Edith Suddard House
Dr. David Rose House
Edwin Sembier House
IR00096
Res
P~e$
Res.
Palmetto Avenue
1191~IR00105 1025 PalmettoAve. A.G. Rose/1VLHallHouse
10 1025A Palmetto .Ave.
1025B Palmetto Ave.
12 I 1025CPalmetto Ave.
1025D Palmetto Ave.
1036 Pakn~tto Ave.
IR00826
11>,00146
IR00i45
1~ IR00104
1049 Palmetto Ave
1056 Palmetto Ave
]056A
1053 Palmetto Ave
1100 Palmetto Ave
F. C~ter House
H. Field House
Bill Rvall H. ouse (Sears)
Gulledge Letchworth Phelps
}~em Devane House
110l Palmetto Ave.
1 ]0lA Palmetto Ave.
1101 B Palmetto Ave.
II13 Palmetto
c. 1930
c.1910
c. 1920
c. 1930
c.1909
c.1910
c.1910
f Res___:~_____ c. 1890
Outbuilding] ~ c. 1920
~ c.1920
G~-age _[~_z~?' lc. 1927
Res.
'~ Res.
[Res.
_RShed
Shed
es,
c.!925
c,190§
c. 1930
c. 1950
OMB ApproVe~ No.
NPS Form lO-90D-a
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGtSTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number ? Page _ 7 ,_ OLD TOWN SEBASTL~N ~tlSTORIC DISTPdCT
~ ~ Sebastian, Indian River County, Florida
;Main St Count3' Dock ~19
Bottom o£Mai~ St. Tree I _
~. r - Other
North ~lde m Mare St, Oakr Tree/Site
~7 u.s. ~ ....... ~ --
Code to Styles:
VF - Vernacular Frame
MY- Masonry Yernaeular
Mod- Modern
NPS Form lO-@O0-a
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
OMB Approval No. 1024--00'I8
NATIONAL REGISTER: OF H~STOR~C PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section numbsr ?
Page __ 8 _
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN' i~ISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian River Count>,, Florida
Non-Contributing Resources:
Non-comributing buildings are found scattered throughout the district. There are 14 non-contributing buildings
and I 1 are primary structures. The starkest non-contributing resource is a Beg South Telephone Commercia/
building located at 1 I37 U.S. 1 ~HOTO 33) Most,
years. Other non-conlributing bufldin,,s include however, are outbuildings constructed within the last Fifty
residences built in the 1960's. These are heavily obscured b'~,
the landscape. (PHOTO 34). A £ew are kistor/cal buildings that have cmdured significant alterations that ha~an't
les much o£the original exterior fabric exposed. (PHOTO 35 ) A non-contributing building located at 700
Main Street was constructed in !957 and was the first cit3~-owned Cie- Hall. Although it does not currently
meet the lilly-year rule to be consid~ed a contributing structure, the local Sebastian Area _Historical Society is
certain [o put it on their list in 2007.
List of Non-Contributing Resources:
700 Main SU:eet
, Cross St.
12i5 Cross St.
Paimetto .Avenue
1015 Palr~,~to Ave.
!033 Palmetto _Ave.
1041 Palmetto .Ave.
~a~kehouse
0 i ZR00t44
1053A Palmetto Ave.
LT.~.I
I l!~TU.S. 1
u.s. ~
044 Palmetto Ave. ~urpeuter House
1044A Palmetto Ave. I
, S-~Southem Bell T ' '
4--~. ezeonone
' Vickcrs Store-/Real'Bstate
~hen Vickers House
Comm. .! c. 1979
, ~araa ~--~,
NP$ Form
United States Department of the interior
Nationa~ Para So.ice
NATIONAL REGiSTeR OF STORIC PLACES
CONTiNUATiON SHEET
Section number __
OIWE Ap[~roval No. ~02~-001~
g__ _ Page
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN ~!STORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, indian River Count', Florida
SUMlVLaRY
· .-~ ~ ' CriterionA~mdCatthe
The Old Town S~sastian Historic District ~ Sebastiark Florida, B m~am ~aer
Ioc~ level ~ the ~cas oz co~W ol~g ~d developmcnt and arc~te~e. The district contains the
' ' Sebasti~. These re~resent a
of e~ly ~entieth cenmw ~me vemacul~ s~ct~es m -
t~est concentration co~u~W. Many of Sebasfimx's leading
' -' ~ ' , ' 'under f~15 o~ers~p fo~ m~
m~fi~t ch~amefisfic ~d pmod of development for the local · - · decades,
c~ens lived ~ ~e ~stricts' boundmes ~d homes re~nea
. . . ~ ~ a v~a~e, ~o¢ to~, th~ a dB~.
T~s ~ea was ~e center of co--umW ~e as Sebam~ was ~smm~d kom
t952, encomp~s~g vinous trends m ~d~ ~ver Coumy.
The disffict's silent period r~, ~om 1893 to . - · ,
Ofig~l strut pla~, ~stofic oaks and a distractive mpo~aphy along ~e ridge stren~en the &~nct s
side.ce.
~STO~C-~ CO~XT
The l~d of ~ly Seb~fi~ was the site of se~iements ~fing back ~ous~ds ofye~s. ~chaeoio~c~ ~dies
...... . ~ ~ty as g50 B.C The ~s hdi~s, whose ~bes
~dicate ~ere w~e preh~ofic mab~tmts nm~ m the ~ea
once donated Florida's ~st coa~, found the land be~een the St. Seba~ ~ver ~d the indi~ ~ver
Lagoon ide~ for thek sumvM. The fish ~d eme were plent~l. Nearly dec~ated by tko l~00's ~e ~s left
be~nd she~ mo~ds, po~e~ ~d other ~a~ts m~y ~ong the river as ehdence ofthek e=st~ce.
One of the e~hes; ~tten records of the Sebastian area dates to a map recorded in 1605 by the Spmsh solme
x~th the
Captain ~vera Me~a who was sen~ by the Spmsh governor of St, Au~stine to improve relations
hdi~s. D~g Me~a' s visit, he documemed ~d recorded the area ~d nmed the St. Sebasuan ~ver.
ceded to the U.S. and becme a te~tow ~ 1821. A few people
Sealem~m was sv~se even ~er ~lofida was
moved to the area ~er ~e passage of the ~ed Occupation Act ~ 1842, however, Ce evems of the Civg War
dete~ed tony o~sons ~om s~g pendently unt~ the late
office and gave
~ 1882, Thomas New, a retired Me~odist ~er ~om D~roit, ~c~g~-, emab~shed a post
. ~eaofSeba~i~xks~s~o~ci~n~e.'Newhaven": Twove~slarer, m~oo~,oY,~,~ ~'_
~e . ' ~d chan~ed ~e ~me from Newhaven to Sebasu~ ~er me ~t.
oTW~n~on= En~d, ~ecame po~masrer
Sebasfim~ ~ver- Se~lemen~ gre~v az a slow pace m~d according to the Florida State Ce~us of lga5 there were
~ot~ of 26 adults ~d 16 c~dren 5~ng ~n Sebasfi~.3
~ Tales of Sebastian (Seba~a= ~ver ~ ~sto~l SocieB~, h~c., [i990]), 4.
~/t)id., Sebastim~ A~ea Cktonology.
Form ~ O-~DO.-a
~8-8e) OM~ Al~Drova! No. fO2Z~O-iB
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF H STORIC PLACES
CONTiNUATiON SHEET
Section number
Page 2
OLD TOWN SEBASTL424 B/STOR[C DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian River CounD,, Florida
Progress was g~adug until the advent of the railroad, which came th_rough Sebastian in 1893. Fisking had
already begun as a means ofsurv/va/, and now became increasingly important to the local economy as a
coramercm, maust~. The firs~ sifipment offish by rail tool: place in 1895. and Sebastian was one o£nine
headquarters o£the fishing industry along the indian River Lagoon, skipp~g fish to markers as far north as New
York. The intr°ducfi°n °£ the railroad helped strewn developmenr farther west o£tha ind/~ River along the
sand Edge. Lou/siana Avenue, '.
once a wagon h-ail, became the first named street in Sebastian and was the site
o£ many new homes/n the early twenti~h century.
In 1905 Sebastian was located in St. Lucia County which had been created out o£Brevard County. ~t. Pierce
was chosen as the County seat. According to the Census of 1910, 3' ~ people lived in Sebastian ma/zing it the
largest commumfies in the area. Cnrus and pineapples were the dominant cash crops in the agricultural
industry. The community's social activities centered around church and school which were both located in the
middle of town. By 1918, Sebastian had a Woman's Club, a doctor, a wooden road bridge across the St.
Sebastian River, two church b?dings, a hotel, and a two-story woo'den schoolhouse c~,~.~4
rural in comparison :o i:s neighoors Veto and Fellsmer~ ~-~-, ~ ~, . .. o~o~,~ -*roamed fa/dy
~ - . - ,~. ~.mgu lana re~lamatson r
prewous decades resulted m the incorporation of these r~va *,,,~,~- ,-,~ .... ?~,ol,e,,cts ex~cuted dunng the
.......... ~ u~rore me ly2o s
Like the rest of Florida, Si. Lucia Coun~ residents experienced prosperily aad growth during the Florida La~d
Boom of the 1920's. Th/s led to significant expansions. In Sebastian, economic expansion was influenced with
the construction o£a highway route along Dixie Hi~mhway. Improved access meanl an increase in population
and ~m-owth of the area, which led directly to the incorporation ~ ~
o~ S~bast~an as a municipality in 1924fi
Meetings of the Town_ Council were held regularly and records from tha~ time indicate their desire to hire
engfineers r%r survey and planning purposes. 6 Businesses. modest homes and lar~,e two / '
- ~ -ston residences were
built along the river and in town when the Baulc of Sebastian opened irs doors on Main Street in ~924.
By !925, nearby Veto had expanded such that it became the Cig, of Vero Beach. It was chosen as the counr~,
seat of the newly.formed indian River County. in !925~ Sebastian was now located in indian River Countyf
Main Street was paved and a Municipal Power and Ice Plant was built to supply electricity' and ice to the
Sebastian area. In 1926, designs
were completed for a modern Sebastian ~ammar and jumo, ?dgn school. The
F ',
lonaa State Census, St. Lucia County, 1910.
~ ales o.~ oebast~an (Seoasttan River Area Historical Soci~y, [1990]), 5.
3/fore Taies o. fS'ebas~ct~ (Sebastian River Area l-Iismncal Society, [1992]), 60.
N~$ Form
United States Departrnen~ of the J~te~or
Nationa~ Pa~ Se~ice
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
OMB Approva] Nc. '1024-00 ~ ~
Section number g Paae 3
OLD TOWN SEBASTtAdN ~STORtC DISTRICT
Sebastian, indian River County,,, Florida
building, located along Main Street, was completed in !928, and the former two-story wooden school located
on Louisiana Avenue was dismantled.
The effects of the Depression were widespread in, Lndian ?dyer Count3,. in 1929, Sebastian felt the effects when
the Bank of Sebastian closed, selling their assets to the Farmers Bank of Vero Beach for $21,628.72.7 In spite
of the economic dow~ mm, Sebastian was created as a Cit3, by an Indian River Coun9, ordinance in 1933~
The to,Am experienced httle ~m'owth until after ~ .V~.}E. During the t9>0 ~, severm new resloences were
constructed, a kighway was built through the c~ter o£the cit3: and large new subdivisions were platted west of
the small downtow~x. I~ 1968, Sebastian was characterized as a quiet, peaceful, happy and dignified community
reflecting a steady growth. It is currently one of the fastest growing communities in Indian River Count5,.
Increasing de,zelopment and consisten~ pressures on historical resources have prompted city officials to order a
draft Preservation Ordinance.
CO~' PLANNING AN~ BE.~rELOPIVI~NT
When the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and 1ndLian River Railroad began offering service to Sebastian in 1893, the
development of the cmmumw changed. The central focus of the commuhity's daily actMties grew' less
dependent upon the river and the focus shifted to an area. along the ridge closer to the railroad. Trains provided
a more advanced means of transportation which increased the number of settlers and visitors to Sebastian. It
also provided a faster means o~ shipping which resuked in the growth of the local ag-ricultural and fishing
i~dustries. The Florida East Coast railway helped the village of Sebastian d~velop by hauling agriculruraI
products to markel and providing d~.~ goods and building products to the area's early settlers. A depot was
constructed in 1894 on the east side of the tracks near the junction of Main Street and Louisiana Avenuefi The
first two-stors: wood vernacular schoolhouse was built in 1905 on the west side o£Louisimm across f~om the
depot.~ Eariy resident, Lydia Edwards Gulledge described her memories,
"}~n those days Louisiana was ~Lke Park Avenue. The church, the schoolhouse and Baughman's store and post
office were all on the west side. The Groves, the Fosters, mad the Council's lived there?'~
Ibid., t51
More J'ales qfSebasric~ (Sebasrim,. ~,iver A~ea H/s'torical Society; [!992]), Preface
~ A HL*tor? q['JadJ~ River Court O': A Sense of P[oce (Veto B~ack: Indim~ River Com]g~ Historical SocieB~, [2000]),
~] More Tales ofSebasr~a~ (Sebastiaz} River ,M'ea I-iisroncal Societs,, [!992]), 55.
Form '~ 0-~0-~
United States Depa~ment of the interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER, OF HISTOPdC PLACES
CONTiNUATiON SHEET
OMB Approval
Section number o~' Page 4
OLd) TOWN SE~ASTL4N EffSTOP.]C D~STRICT
Sebastian~ kndian Privet Count~,, Florida
h2 1908, Dr. David Rose, from Chicago, moved to a house on Louisiana Avenue. Hoping to make a living
g-rowing cimas, the town's need for a physician prompted t~m to open his house as a doctor's ofce. He was the
only doctor in town for a long time riding from house to house on horsebaak and later in one of the
community's first Model T's.
During the early 1900's, Sebastian continued to develop along Main Street, Palmetto and Central Avenue. (the
south portion is present-day U.S. 1)12 Buildings were ,for the mom part., built by locals in the wood vernacular
style. Subdivisions were platted and named after the families who first purchased land there. In 1913, the first
town hall was estabhshed along South Central Avenue. It was built by' the Woodm~ of the World and also
served as a community center. The school's first gTaduation ceremony was held there in 1918 with a total of
six students in the ~aduadng class.~ During the first two decades of the twentieth century, life remained hard
and the landscape was fairly rural. Carbide hghts, cisterns~ wood stoves, and out-houses were not uncommon
sights. Social life was centered around the school and church located on Louisiana ,Avenue.
Cash-flow improved during the Boom period of the 1920's as was typical in other Fiofida towns. This was a
sig~aificant period of development for Sebastian The Bank of Sebastian was built and opened in 1924 and
Sebastian. became incorporated as a town in !925. A Municipal Power and 1ce plant were constructed that same
year. Some ordinances at the time forbid the following:
"To ride a bicycle on the stree',s of the Town at a faster rate of speed than t 5 miles per hour.
To maintain, manage or control any lotte .fy, wheel o£ fortune, or any other gambling device.
To hitch any horse, mule or any' other animal to any of the shade trees upon the streets or within
public parks, or on an5, private premises without the p~mission of the owner.''14
The avallabiiity o~the automobile made Sebastian more accessible to tourists during the 1920's. Ciq, officials
made a concerted effort to improve and widen roads as well as establish sidewalks on Main Street and Central
_Avenue (U.S. 1). Main Street was extended a few blocks west of'Louisiana and a modern school designed in
the Mediterranean Revival style, was constructed and opened there in t928. The first Iibra_q, was established by
Bamma Lawson at a time when there were no public libraries in the county. She started a children's library in
her home on Central Avenue located in her father's subdivision. Her husband was a carpenter and help build a
:: In rite 1950's tim ~edexal Government four-laned Dime lriigttway. Tiros Incladed the South pan of Central Av-aenue (as il
was called in the city) a~d later became U.S.1.
]~ .&Historic Tour of the SebaStmrt Area, 2~ Edinon 1998.
~More falex q?Sebrtstian (Sebaman River Area Historical Society, [1992]), Preface.
NPS Form
United States Department o~ the interior
Nationat Park Servi=e
NATIONAL REG STSR OF H STOR C PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number, g Page ~ OL~ TOW~ SEBAS~ ~STO~C DISTP~CT
~ ~ ~ Sebastian, ~ndi~ ~ver Count', Fiorid~
b~ ofbuildino-s in Sebastian. He also served the tow~ as eiB, clerk and councilman. During tue 13oo
hum ~ ~ ~owth did not extend much farther west of
period, additional subdivisions such as Edgewater were platted, b~t... ' ~d around the downtown.
Louisiana. Tiffs °~ ~vas iar-~eiv cin~2suntil the 1950's. Commumt3 fife revo~w
........ as plays and ~olitical rallies were common The
Sunday school picmcs, civic affairs and public gatherings, such , · ~-f ,~final town hall.
tfighllght however, were hand-crardced movies run by Kodne5? Kroegei m m~ ~-=
· +.~ ~,~,,,i*~ ne,~ative impacts of the Great Depression. As one
By !930, Sebastian was a happy little commumr5 .... ~,..~ the ~
resident recalled,
"Main Street was "more busy than we are now...Within a fe'~ blocks were the
,. d _' goods store, a hardware store, a laundo', an ice house, the post office, the railroad station
groceo, a r~
and the city jail....and there was a drug store on the comer oflJS1 and Main.''~s
· A olaque
' Street including the t-iardee manmon. .
Major fires during the 1930's destroyed buildings along Mare Bob lqardee, whose family moved to
was placed ha front og the Hardee Oak as a remembrance of the she. 1905 and served twice
Sebastian in 1889. was the first tax collector for S Lucie County when it was formed in
6 , ~ Mete was the first woman to serve on the Sebastian City
on the Sebastian City Counc~lJ Bob s daughter, to the Hardee's was located a~ the bottom o~ Mmn stre~
~ · 17 The EaCe Co. dock which belonged ·
t~ouncil. ~ '
where a city dock stands today, l[ was used by locals and visitors.
l%w buildings were consn'ucted in Sebastian during the 1930's and !940's and the area experienced little
~owth. The new school which featured a large baseball field and upstairs auditorium, was a major recreation
~ oathered at Christmas iv_ the park on the comer of Main Street and
area £or the local children. The community ~ w&s started by Banuna Lawson. It began with a simple
o~ the tree, a tradition that ' enough for
South Central for the lighting c '
1 ~ 30 s the tree she had planted, had ~own rail location
holly tree that she planted in the t920's andbythe ' ' · *
Ii~.hts and a special handmade star that she purchased in Oriando? This ~adition was continued m mm
b~ local fanfilies until the 1950's when the first publicy-owned City building was erected.
~ ' ~ ant hYsicai develooment of the city. D, unng the early
· - ' ~h~tian was the third s.=munc P ~. -. * ~ :^+~ next to the older vernacular
The post-war pen?a m. ~ .... ' --~:o and efficiencies were omit on vacant ~[~ of the
1950's, a few modem homes, au.v,~*~o
structures downtown. The ensuing decades resulted hi a somewhat urban atmosphere on the west side
(South Central Ave'- while palmetto and Louisiana Avenue
railroad tracks along Main Street and U.S 1 , ' - Tl~'e adjacent orange ~oves and a dense
remained quaint residential streets with well-kept remdences.
landscape added to the charm and warmth of the neighborhood.
Ibid.
Ibid., 93.
Ibid., 94.
]~ Ibid-, 33
NPS Form,
United States Department of the interior
Nationa~ Park Service
OMB ApprovsI NO. 7 02~-00 ~ 8
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC p, , ,--,.-
CONTINUATION SHEET
number
_ 8 Page 6
LD TOBrN ~EBAST[AS; EUSTORIC DISTRiCT
Sebastian, indian River CounDL Ftor~da
The most significant chanae came in the late 1950's when the Federal Government decided to eX'rend Dixie
_rff/ghway ( Now U. S. !) throu~ the rmddle or town. The second City -*4all, located on Main Street, was
demoI/shed. At tins time the V~olunteer Fire Do . .
b '" ~ . . ~nartment, orgamzed m 1949, and the City- needed office space. A
uilamg for the nrst puDhely City Hall, first Volunteer Fire Department, and
therefore constructed in 1957. It was built on tho ~ ~ -* · First Police Department was
~ ,.orn~r o, Mom Srree~ and U.S. 1 in ~957 in the City Park.
tn 1982, the city, out~ew the building and mm(ed to the ga'st floor of the former 1928 Grammar and Jun/or High
~chool building on Main Street. The former Ci~ Hall then became the home of the first
m the City of Sebastian. 7m 2002, it se~es as office st)ace for the Chamber of Commerce and the Sebastian
- ,- ..... ~, ovcned library
H/storical Society. · -
~Z, STORiC SIGN]~ICANc~
Buildings constructed within` the Sebastian Old own l-iisronc &strict reflect the early arowth and development
or the area. Buildings styles and the ~attern of ~owth are c ' .e ' - ·
eras m Florida. The oastnct ts si ' ~,,~ ~,,~ ~...: .... onsast_nt w~ta the Pro~esswe. Bo and ~,,~,
g~:t~C,~. ~,~ ~avmg tile largest co,*,,~,,+--*: .... '. om .......
Vernacular buildings within Sebastian's ct.n, limits ...... ,*~,,un m early twentieth century Wood
· . ., . Excellent examples are the Bamma Lawson House, which
is fisted on the NaUonal Re, stet o£Zhstoric Places, and the John B~ugnot House located on Main Street.
Many of the e~,tisting contributing structures were at one time associated with Sebastian's leading citizens.
- ammos and theh aecendents re)crated bnsLnesses, served on town councils, and schooI boards. District
, ead~nts and business owners were
even beyond the period o¢ ' '~ instmment~ in the development o£thJs s_malt fish/ng v/llage during and
-. s~gznncance (1893-1952).
One exampte is Stephen \tickers, who moved bJs family to Sebastian around ~906. He started one of the first
dry good stores, winch stood along Main Street and eventually owned a large two-st ,
(South Cemrai Avenue). He built a house ~ ' , cry home at ~ i41 U.S./
railroad h-acks in the early 1910's. rot his daughter Bazrana, that they moved moved next door from the
Bamma Vickers Lawson was one O£Sebastian's leading citizens who
provided a library in the house during the 1920's and 30's for the local children when there was none in the
county. ~ Her husband Parris, a carpenter, served s the Sebasuan ctty clerk, election clerk and city counc/kaan.
Stephen's ~m'andson Jack was involved in starring the first Volunteer Fire Depart-ment. The fam/ty mark_ a
was lef~ '
mtant and partially restored when new r,,,,,, - .
.... ~-.,~rs renovated the family's 1920's Mediterra~e~ style
braiding recently. The store, located at 1209 U. S. 1. had remaine~f
hardware store in the 1990's T ~ - . - under family ownership and operated as a
omlamg . h~ recent renovauon, unformnateiy ',
.... . , rio nm preserve the integrity of the entire
'¢1 ~t¢tonc 7'ozt~ oJ' lhe ,~kbastiar~ Area, 2*~ Edition !998
OMB Approval Nc. '102~-0018
NPS FOnT~
United States Department of the interior
National Park Se~ice
NATIONAL REGISTER OF H STOR C PLACES
C .... ,*T ON SHEET
~ ' ~ ~STO~CDIST~CT
Section number ~ ~ page 7 0~ TO~N SEBA~
o ~ '- Seb~tian, lndiar~ ~ver CounD', Florida
been lost throur'h°ut the years, the ar~ has retained
district have
Althou-=h some Nstoncal buildSmgs ir_ the - ~ :~-':~o and streetscaoes are a stark remembrance of
- - .Existing contnounng uunm-=~
much of its small-town character. · ·, ' a strong
the settiemen: wixich developed with the advent of the railroad. Sebastian area resmentS nave
preserve and restore this historical setting. The larger
appreciation for their hisxoU~ and there is a momentum io been preserved an¢ g~ven a nexx nr .
localed alongU.S.1 (South Central) have.
storos and cafe-WPe restaurants. TNs
comributing structures . ~ · . * ~ , operate as antique -
owners who a~preciate their msmrs. ~ xe,x residences on the west side of the railroad tracks which have
~, . ,, 7 ~-d is likely to s~read to the more
-restoration tr~
been neglected in recent decades.
Form
United States Department of the interior
Nationa,~ Park Service
OMB Approval No.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number 9
Page _. 1 _
OLD TOWN SEBASTIAN t[ISTORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian Privet Counw~ FJorida
BIBLIO GRAPL~f
",~ H/stodc Tour o£the Sebastian Area", ebasnan Area I-fistorical Society, Inc., 2"d edition, 1998.
Cormiff, Sears. Lived in Sebastian during the 1930's and 1940's. Interview by author,
September 22, 2002, written notes by author at !723 Old Dixie 2ff/ghway S.W. in Vero Beact-~ Florida.
Indian River County Courthouse. Fiat Maps. Official Record Book S4, pg 45, 53, 64, 74.
Indian River County Courthouse. Plat Maps. Offcial Record Book S6, pg 36.
Indian River County Courthouse. Plat IV~ps. Official Record Book 83, pg 5%
Indian River ounty -r-Xisroncal Society. ~t ~istock, of Jndian River County..
Vero Beach: Indian Poser County Historical Society, 2000. Sense G;Place ':
Indian River County Property Appraiser Office, Property Records; !941, t951 Aerials; Residential Property
Record Cards.
indian River County Schooi Board Minutes. Book 1:1925 - 1930.
Lockwood. C · ,
· harlotte. Flor~d~ s ZJzs~or~c Jndicc~ Ri~Jer County. Vero Beach: Media Trunics, 1975.
McAlester, Lee & Virginia. g Field Guide Tt~_dmericcv~ Hoz~ses. New York: Alfred A. Knop_q, !992.
Olansen, Stephen. The Hallstrom House, Research as part o£the
Structure ~om~, T ~ . . IEal~srrom House Master Site File I-~istotical
- allahassee, vlonda, Bureau o£Historic Preservation, 1990.
Pdehards, J. Noble. Florida's~ZJibisca, s Ci~,, Fer~ea&. Melbourne: Brevard Graphics, 1968.
Frights, Lucil~e Rieley. d Portrait of St. £ucJe County, Fi'orida. Virgima Beach: The Dorming Company, 1994.
Sebastian River Area Historical Society. ]vlore Tales ofSebast~wl Vero Beach: Sebastian River Area Historical
Society, inc., 1992.
Sebasuan River Area Histortcai Somet~.. Tales oj'Seba~cet Sebastian River Area Historical Society Inc., 1990.
Shofner, JerrelI H. Hi$tO~2 ofBrevard CounO,.Vo~. 1. Smart: Brevard County Historical Corarmssiov, 1995.
NP$ ~orm lO-~con~a
United States Department of the interior
National Park Service
Section number ]0 Page I
Approval No. '/02~-0018
OLB TOWN SEBASTIAN ItlSTO1U[C DISTPd[CT
Sebastian, lmdian River Count3',
~J'ElC~BAL BOUNDAIR-¥ DESCP.~PT!ON
· ' ; ' ' those shown on the accompanying mston~
The bmmdanes of the Old Town Historic D~smc~ are
dtsm,~t map.
B oLr~rD A12~y JUSTIFICATiON
The boundaries surrmmd the targest concentration of mtac~ kistoricai buildings associated with
the development of Old Town Sebastia~ wifich developed with the advenl of the railroad m
1893. Blocks to the North and South were not included since they did not retain the same
densitw of historic structures. AlthOUgJl several historic buildings ex/st to the north and South o£
the proposed district, the h/storic context and densi~ of thru area l~as been akered e~ensively
with new consmlction making it dif~e~ult to tie into the Old Town 5qistohc Disthct.
NPS Form 1O-,.,c~O-a OMS~ Approve/Nc. 1024-0018
United States Department of the interior
National Park Se,vice
NAT!ONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTINUATION SHEET
Section number PHOTOS Page
OLD TOWN SEBASnqAN I-~STORIC DISTRICT
Sebastian, Indian River Count3,, Florida
LIST OF P~t[OTOGP~&P~S
1. Topo~-aphy, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
2. Sebastian, Florida
3. Anna Jackson, Historic Prese~ation Consukant
4. October 2002
5. CiB, of Sebastian Bngineer~ Department
6. Looking west on Main Street from Riverside Drive
7. PHOTO 1
8. Photo 1 of 35
Note: Items 2 througl~ 5 are the same for all photographs; refer to Photo Location building sketches for
camera locatSons. (numbers in circles are photo numbers).
I. Indian River Shoreline and City Dock, Old Town Sebastian Historic Distrim
6. Looldng east on Main Street from Riverside Drive
7. PHOTO 2
8. Photo 2 of 35
1. Railroad, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6 Looking South west from Main Street
7. PHOTO 3
8. Photo 3 of 35
1. Hardee Oak, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. LooPdng East from Main Street.
7. PHOTO 4
8. Photo 4 o/'35
I. Landscape, Scrub Plants Old Town, Sebastian Historic District
6. Looldng east from Louisiana
7. PHOTO 5
g. Photo 1 of 35
1. CiB, Park, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. Looidng south from Main STreet
7. PHOTO 6
g. Photo 1 of 35
OMB Approval No. ~102~-00'18
NPS Form 10-900-a
United States Depa. rtment of the interior
National Park Se~ce
NATIONAL REGISTER OF H STORIC
CONTiNUATiON SHEET
Section number PHOTOS Page 2 OLD TO~ SEBASTL~ ~STO~ DIST~
.... ~ n ~ ~lo~da
1. "Flow-well Road", Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. Looldng north from the comer of Louisiana and patmeno.
7. PHOTO 7
8. Photo 7 of 35
' n Sebastian Idistoric District
1. Palmetto Avenue, Ola Tow
6. Looking east on palmetto Avenue from the clismcf s west boundary
7. pHOTO g
8. Photo 8 of 35
1. Louisiana Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic Disttict
}~ookin~ south on Louisiana.
7. PHOTO 9
g. Photo 9 of 35
~ TvvicaI Sidewalk, Old Town Sebasfi~ tHist°ric ?strict
~'. L~o'oking Sou~-East at sidewalks onMmn Street.
7. pHOTO 10
8. Photo l 0 of 35
1. L'.S. 1, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6 Looking North from Washin~on Place.
7. Photo 11
g. Photo 11 of 35
1 Main Street, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. Looldng East from the west side of the railroad tracks
7. pHOTO 12
8. Photo 12 o£35
1. 1048 Louisiana Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. West (Main) Fagade, Looking East
7 pHOTO 13
g. Photo 1 of 35
1 1040 Louisiana Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6 West (Main) Fagade, Looldng East
7. PHOTO t4
8 Photo 14 of 35
OMB Approval No.
United States Department of the interior
Nationa~ Park ,Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
CONTiNUATiON SHEET
Section number PHOTOS Page
OLD TOWN SEB ASTi_aN HI ORI?
gT___v DISTRICT
Sebasfiar~ Indian River County, Florida
1. 700 Main Street, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. North (Main) Fa,cade, Looking South
7. PHOTO 15
8. Photo 15 o1,35
I. PaImetto Avenue, Old Town Sebastian b~istoric District
6. Looking West from Louisiana
7. PHOTO 16
8. Photo 16 oi'35
1. U.S. 1, Old Town Sebastian Historic'District
6. Looking South from Main Street
7. PHOTO 17
8. Photo 17 o5` 35
1. ~dustrial Buildings, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. Looking East on Louisiana.
7. PHOTO 18
8. Photo ]8 0£35
1. t 100 Palmetto Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. View o1,Fence, Lootdng South
7. PHOTO 19
8. Photo 19 o1,35
I. 1206 U.S. 1, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. West (Ivlain) Facade, Looking East
7 PHOTO 20
8 Photo 20 05'35
1. 1210 Main Street, Old Town Sebastian ~a~storic District
6. West ,(Main) Fagade, Looking Ea~
7. PHOTO 21
g Photo2I of 35
1. Shed, 1034 Louisiana Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. WeE (Main) Fagade, Looldng East
7. PHOTO 22
g. Photo 22 of 35
OMB ApproW! No ~02
NPS Form
NatJonaJ Park Se~ice
ATIONAL OF HISTORIC pLACeS
cONT NUATJOE SHEET
Section number pHOTOS_ Page 4 OLD TO~rN S~BAS~N ~STO~JC DIS~CT
_ ~ ~ Seb~i~ ~dian ~ver Count', Florida
1.1133 U.S. 1, Old Town SEoasttan ~stonc DlsmCt
6. Bast (Main) Fagade, Looking West
7. pHOTO 23
$. photo 23 o5'35
1.1 t41 U.S. 1, Old Town Sebastian l-iistoric District
~ - ~ ~ain) Fagade, LookLng West
6. j~ast/lw- ¢ ·
7. pHOTO 24
8. photo 24 o£ 35
~" : S 1 (Ori~nal Town Hall), Old Town Sebastian I-Iistoric District
1. !1~> U. ·
6. East ¢viain) Fagade, Looking West
7. pHOTO 25
$. Photo 25 o5'35
1. 1068 Main Street (L Beugnm House), Old Town SebaSnan I-~storm Dtsm~t · Facade, Lootdng South
6. qonh (Mare)
7. pHOTO 26
8. Photo 26 of 35
1. 1053 palmetto Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. South (Main) Facade Looking North
7. pHOTO 27
8. photo 27 o5'35
I. 1208 U.S.1, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. West (Mmn) Fa9are, Loc ,
7. PHOTO 28
8. Photo 28 of 35
1.1100 Main Street. Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6~ North (Main) Fagade, Looking Scum
7. pHOTO 29
g. Photo 29 of 35
· . ' ~ Old Town Sebastian FAstofic District
1. 1215 p, xvermde Dnw,
6. East (Main) Fa9uae, Looldng West
7. pHOTO 3O
g. Photo 30 of 35
NPS Form,
United States Department T the I~mr~or
Nationa~ Park Se~lce
OMB ApprovalNo. ~t024_00¢8
NATIONAL REGISTER OF
C , _ HISTORt~ PLACES
ONT~NUA i iON SHEET
Section number
PHOTOS
OLD TOWJxT SEBASTIANT p2S~-r~> T~ r~,o
Sebastian, Indiac~ River CounB,' Florida
t. 1 i 17 U.S. I, Old Town Sebastian Historic D/strict
6. Bast (Main) Facade. Looidng West
7. PHoTo 31 ' '
8. Photo 3I of 35
1. 1063 Louisiana Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. East '
(Ma/n) Fagade~ Looldng West
7. PHOTO 32
8. Photo 3'~ o
1. 1137 U.S. 1, Old Town Sebastian Historic Distri~
6. East Gvlain) Fa',cade, Looking West
7. PHOTO 33
8. Photo Jo of 35
1. 1041 Palmetto Avenue; Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. South (Main) Fagade' Looldng North
7. PHOTO 34
8. Photo 34 o£35
1. 104~ Palmetto Avenue, Old Town Sebastian Historic District
6. North (Ma/n) Fagade, Looldng South
7. PHOTO35
8. Photo 35 0£35
-' ,"
I [UDSON%,
rTy, FLORIDA EDP-m.D. NUMBER I CARD5 MAP NUMBER SEC. I TWP. RNG. SUB. BLOCK
)OF1 /~ ~ 06 ~1 ~9 05 00~0
LEGAL DESCRIPTION J DATE I STAMPS D.a. PAGE YEAR ASS
I
CHOOL PK SUE Pgl ~,-'?.~ LOT z~ BLK 9 I IMPS
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Mov OB 02 09:00a Indian River Count~ 772-??0-50~5
1640 25m Street
Vera Beach, FL 32960-3365
· 772-567-8000 Ext. 223
Fax: 772-770-5029
Emsil: tframe~bcc.co.indlan-five r.fl.us
Division of Build~g &Grounds
· Division of Purchasing
· Division of Telecommunications
· Division of Libran./Sen~ices
· Division of Probation
· Division of Veteran Sen/ices
· Division of Cen~at Sauces
· Housing Authority
· Shooting Range
· Soil & Water Conserva~on District
· Agriculture Extension Ser¢ioes
Terrence
Sebastian City Manager
Fram= Thomas W. Frame
Fax= 772-589-5570 Pages: ~z_ pages including fax cover
Phone 772-58g-5330 Date: 11 t8/2002
~ Sebastian Request Phone: (772) 567-8000 Ext. 1403
Urgent X For Review Please Comment Please Reply X For Your In~srmation
Dear Tercence:
Attached please find ~he transnfittal paper work ~at has been forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners
for next Tuesday's board meeting regarding the City's x~tu~t for the broadcast of Sebastian Council meetings on
Channel 13. If you have any qee, aiona, please call.
Tom
~ov 08 02 O8:OOa Indian River Coun~ ??2-?70-5095
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
AGENDA ITEM
Department of General Services
Date:
To:
Thru:
From:
Subject:
November 6, 2002
The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
James E. Chandler, County Administrator
Thomas W. Frame, General Services Director 'ff~
Request by the City of Sebastian for the Broadcast of Prerecorded Sebastian
City Council Meetings on South County Government Access Channel 13
BACKGROUND:
Attached, please find a letter from Terrence Moore, City Manager for the City of Sebastian. Mr.
Moore is requesting the approval of the Board for the rebroadcast twice monthly of City of
Sebastian City Council meetings. As stated by the City Manager, each meeting would last
approximately two to three hours in duration.
If the Board authorizes the request by Sebastian, the telecast would be placed for viewing on
Channel 13. The Sebastian City Council meetings then would be broadcast over Channel 13
(South County/Veto franchise), Channel 27 (a County Channel aired over Sebastian and North
County Franchise areas) and of course Sebastian would continue to broadcast their meetings over
Channel 25 (a Sebastian Channel hewed over Sebastian and North County Franchise area).
Curranfly, Vero Beach Council meetings are hex, able in the north county fi'anchise area over
Channel 27, an Indian River County government access channel. This means that citizens of
Sebastian or the unincorporated areas of that franchise may view the meeting. Wh/le Channel
27 is a dedicated county chamlel, currently all programming occurring on Channel 13, a shared
channel between Vero Beach and the County, is rebroadcast in its entirety on Channel 27. This
is t he reason t he viewers i n t he North County a rea are able t o view t he V ere B each Coancil
meetings.
In reviewing this matter, it is our opinion that while there should be adequate time for this
rebroadcast of Sebastian's City Council meeting without affecting other scheduled progsamming
ctm'ently airing on Channel 13, the hours that it may be broadcast may be other than what would
be considered to be "prime time." This programming time would be on an as available time
scheme based on existing programming on Channel 13.
It should be noted that while Indian River County staff has no objections to the telecast as
requested, the City of Veto Beach has expressed its concerns and objections to the injection of
this additional programming onto the shared government ar, cess channel. The Board may want
to request thc City of Veto Beach's approval since we both try to cooperate on joint use of the
channel and programming. Additionally the Board may want to consider the removal of City of
Veto Beach Broadcast matters on Charme127 by splitting the broadcast from Channel 13.
~ ~ov OB 02 09:OOa Indian River County ??2-?70-5095
Relative to programming, ffthe Board desires to split the broadcast from Channel 13 so that no
programming may be played on Channel 27 unless specifically desixed, an up-grade to tho
equipment to aocomplish that task would be required. T he estimated cost for that additional
equipment is estimated to be approximately $2,400.
Should the Board agre~ to allow the m-broadcast, all efforts in providing the video tapes for the
programming and delivery of such tapes should be made by the City of Sebastian. In addition,
the City of Sebastian will need to acquire and provide to the School District a VCR~ to provide
for appropriate programming through an automated process currently being used by the School
District. The cost of that equipment is estimated at approximately $600.
RECOM1VIENDATION:
Staffhas no objection, but due to the sharkag of facilities, the Board may wish to have the City of
Sebastian to also obtain the approval of the City of Voro Beach~
Approved Agenda Item
For:
Indian River Co. Approved Date
Administration
Risk Management
OFFICE OF THE
CiTY MANAGER /
UTILITIES DIRECTOR
Mr. Joseph A. Baird, Assistant County Administrator
Indian River County
Board of County Commissioners
1840 25th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
City of Vero Beach
1053 - 20th PLACE - P.O. BOX 1389
VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32961-1389
Telephone: (772j 978-4710 · Fax: (772) 778-3856
e-raaiI: citymgr~covb.org ~
November 5, 2002 ~'.
RE: TELECAST OF SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ON CABLE TELEVISION
CHANNEL 13
Dear Joe:
I have been provided with a copy of a request from the City of Sebastian seeking air
time on the cable television Channel 13 to rebroadcast the City of Sebastian's City
Council meetings. First, I want to go on record taking exception to this request. A
few years ago, at the request of the Indian River County School Board and Indian River
Community College, we prevailed on AT&T Broadband to make an educational channel
available for these entities so they could broadcast additional programming. There
simply weren't enough time slots available on Channel 13. In addition, since that time,
both the County and the City of Vero Beach have expanded programming on Channel
13, and I anticipate more in the future. The City of Vero Beach is not interested in
allowing more time on its Channel 13 for other outside interests.
I believe some history on our local government channel is important. The City of Vero
Beach cable television franchise ordinance dates back to 1959, with a government
channel and an educational channel being established in 1988. Cable television
systems first started in cities because of their population density. Later, Indian River
County passed a franchise ordinance and also required a government access channel.
It was unnecessary to have two channels devoted to government access in this area
so we, the City of Vero Beach and Indian River County, share use of one channel. As
issues that have been pertinent to this area of the county and use of the channel have
come up, we have worked them out for everyone's advantage. A case in point is our
use of the channel to broadcast the School Board meetings, Indian River County
Hospital Board meetings, and the State Legislature, when in session. This cooperative
arrangement should be continued in the future, but as I said, there is only a limited
amount of air time slots on Channel 13. Given the history and use of air time on
Mr. Joseph A. Baird
Page 2
November 5, 2002
Channel 1 3, I don't believe Indian River County has unilateral authority to grant use on
the channel to other third-party interests.
I understand that the recent rebuild of the cable system in the Sebastian area allows
for four government access channels on that system. Channel 25 is exclusively for
the City of Sebastian, Channel 27 is for Indian River County, and two other channels
used by Indian River County School Board and Indian River Community College,
respectively. The City of Sebastian ce~ainly has more broadcast capacity on their
system than we have on ours. Mr. Moore indicates that the Vero Beach Council
sessions are broadcast on their Channel 27, thus making the inferences that they
would like to air their Council meetings on our Channel 13. I was not aware that Vero
Beach City Council meetings were being broadcast in the Sebastian area. I am
flattered that the County would choose to broadcast our meetings in that area;
however, I really see no need for that. It has not been the intent of the City of Vero
Beach to have our programming broadcast to an area outside the boundaries covered
by the Channel 13 viewing area. There should be a way for the signal to be removed
from Channel 27, and I would like the County to explore how that option might be
accomplished.
The above outlines the reasons why additional time on Channel 13 should not be
allocated to other third-party interests. Should you have additional questions, please
give me a call.
Sincerely yours,
City Manager/Utilities Director
RT:jav
XC:
Mayor and City County - w/Enc.
Charles Vitunac, City Attorney - w/Enc.
indian River County Board of County Commissioners
James Chandler, indian River County Administrator
Tom Frame, indian River County General Services Director
v/Terrence Moore, Sebastian City Manager
C:\My Documents~lndianRlverCounty~BAIRD.Telecast. SebastianCCMtgs,doc