Secretary Detzner Designates the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today the Eau Gallie Arts District in Melbourne has been designated the September 2018 Florida Main Street Community of the Month. Communities are selected based on their development achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street Program.

“The Eau Gallie Arts District is a valuable asset to the Florida Main Street program,” said Secretary Detzner. “This enthusiastic community has successfully merged their appreciation of history with their love of the arts.”

Eau Gallie Outdoor Museum, Eau Gallie, Florida

Eau Gallie is located in the northern section of Melbourne, Florida. The city was founded in 1860 by William Henry Gleason. Gleason discovered the area while traveling up the coast, and loved it so much that he purchased 16,000 acres. Gleason was inspired by the coquina rocks along the water of the Indian River Lagoon and named the city Eau Gallie, which is French for “rocky water.” The Indian River Lagoon was essential to the development of Eau Gallie, as it was an important hub for transporting goods and passengers.

In 1969 citizens of the city decided to merge Eau Gallie with the city of Melbourne. While it is no longer its own city, residents continue to recognize the area as Eau Gallie. There is a strong sense of comradery within the community, which has led to revitalization efforts. In 2010, the Eau Gallie Arts District was designated as a Florida Main Street community.

The Eau Gallie Arts District, also known as EGAD, is a mix of more than 100 businesses, including galleries, retail shops, restaurants and more. “In our eight years of being a designated Main Street, we have had a tremendous impact on the community,” said Executive Director Lisa Packard. “We continue to attract new businesses and demand for commercial space. We developed what we call the EGAD Army - a dedicated group of volunteers that are the engine of the program.”

One of EGAD’s most impressive projects is the creation of the Outdoor Museum, made up of more than 30 murals that line the streets of the community. The museum attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe. 

For more information about the Eau Gallie Arts District, visit egadlife.com or facebook.com/egadlife. For more information on the Florida Main Street program, visit floridamainstreet.com or facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 49 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.