In 1880 about 200 people lived in the cities of Eau Gallie and Melbourne. Eau Gallie's population in 1886 was 50. By 1890 the combined population in and around the two settlements was 374, of which 187 actually lived within the two communities.

In Eau Gallie the population surged from 172 to 329 between 1900 and 1910. This was partly due to the arrival of the winter quarters of the Kentucky Military Institute. Each year the Institute brought about 150 teachers, students and employees to Eau Gallie after the Christmas holidays.

One old timer said, "It's getting so crowded you can't even spit without hitting someone."

During the land boom in the mid 1920's, the highest population in Eau Gallie was around 1,200 but by 1920 the population was only 871.

Marker is on Pineapple Avenue 0.1 miles north of Florida Route 518, on the left when traveling north.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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