First Post Office Site

In the early years at what was once known as Hatterman's Point, John Cornthwaite Hector settled and had a store built, completed in 1880 by carpenter U. D. Henderson of Eau Gallie. Hector was described as tall, heavy-set, with white hair and a great square beard, and as strong as a bull. Most of the time he wore a ridiculous bowler on his head, apparently influenced by his British origin. In 1878, when he first appeared in the area, he was about 43 years old. He migrated there from Melbourne, Australia, where it was reported that he had deserted a common-law wife and five children. Hector is credited with organizing the first community band in Melbourne and became Melbourne's first postmaster.

Melbourne, Florida · United States