Merritt Island facts to get your inner history buff started- Share your stories

Merritt Island Facts to get Your Inner History Buff Started

Merritt Island, Florida is a community in Brevard County on the east coast of Florida. It is the home of space technology (NASA), land of Indian River citrus. Merritt Island also has a wealth of Black history. However, as with most communities throughout the US, historical contributions, photos/artifacts, and family stories have been lost within the community and the families.

I welcome contributions of photos, stories,links and information to this blog to document more of the history of this warm and welcoming community--Merritt Island. My memories and your memories will help us create the missing stories and histories of those who are not long gone but, unfortunately, quickly forgotten.

Some facts to get your memories started:

• Anyone ever hear of the Florida Highwaymen? This group of 26 self-taught artists from the 1950's and 1960's were known to sell their artwork along the side of the highway out of the trunks of their cars since galleries would not sell their work. Their artwork was mostly Florida landscapes and waterscapes. Sam Newton is reported to be one of the Highway men who lives on Merritt Island but now has his own gallery on Cocoa Beach. He was encouraged by his brother Harold to paint. Another Highwayman, R.L. Lewis, taught in Brevard County for some time.
• Before integration, there was a Merritt Island Colored School. Harriette Moore, wife of Harry T. Moore, taught at the school in the elementary level before she was married to Harry Moore. Anyone who is unfamiliar with civil rights activists, can learn more by visiting the Harry T. Moore Museum, located in Mims, Florida, or email htmcc@brevardparks.com.
• Greater Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church collects and gathers family information, photos and land ownership histories about Black Merritt Island residents. They also have ownership of the Dennis Sawyer Cemetery, an historic landmark located on beautiful North Tropical Trail. Grave sites date back from 1919 and is still used. Two of the historic Black community on Merritt Island buried there are Reverend Fred Gillins and Joseph McDonald. More research and information to come on these individuals. For more information about the GMO-AME Church, visit the church at 1240 North Tropical Trail on Merritt Island.