“Later, they discovered that the going rate for the land
was $30 an acre,” added Greene Kjerulff.
The not-for-profit American Homesteading Foundation,
incorporated in Ohio in 1946, sold the land to settlers,
many of whom built their own nests and engaged in
small — and sometimes eclectic — businesses such as
chinchilla farming. A community store, run on the honor
system, sold some of the products.
To circumvent the lack of post-war building materials,
some residents opted to purchase prefab barracks from
the Banana River Naval Air Station.
“They were brought down the river on barges and trucks
took them up 192,” Downey said.
A couple of the barracks, one a private residence the
other headquarters for the American Homesteading
Foundation, remain.
Back then, having enough money to purchase a lot in
26: SPACE COAST LIVING | SPACECOASTLIVING.COM
ROB DOWNEY
A historical marker at the village hall offers visitors a glimpse of its past.
CHARLES LEE BARRON
The original neighborhood grocery, Melbourne Village’s little store sold staples as
well as products made by residents.
Melbourne Village did not assure you that you would live there,
for the foundation did not want speculators.
“You had to be approved to move in,” Downey explained.
FOUNDATION A FAVORITE
Although the AHF has since evolved into more of a homeowners
association, it remains beloved by the villagers, who appreciate
the foundation’s maintenance of 52 acres of park land, the community
pool and the rec hall, and its orchestration of events such
as Easter egg hunts, Halloween parties and Christmas dinners.
Debbie Seiler, a Realtor associate with ITG Realty in West
Melbourne, fell under the spell of Melbourne Village 19 years
ago. Seiler purchased property she thought she would fix for
other relatives until she discovered how different the village was
from her former home in Melbourne Beach.
“We were struck by how quiet, convenient and peaceful it
was,” said Seiler, who runs a special website about life in
Melbourne Village.
As Brevard’s green spaces continue to shrink, the village’s
verdant reputation grows.
“When a house goes on the market, it is gone in a day with
multiple offers,” Seiler said.
Land values have risen considerably since the village’s Founding
Mothers purchased at $75 an acre. One of the few remaining acre
lots recently fetched $267,000.
“Land is definitely on the high end,” Seiler said.
HOME FOREVER
People who grow up in the village tend to stay in the village.
Seiler notes that at least 30 families have multiple generations
scattered around the community. Brothers live next door to each
other; grandparents are down the street from grandchildren. ROB DOWNEY
The community center remains the hub of village activities. >>
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