This house was built circa 1898-1900 by William O. Wallace from Indiana, who lived here with his wife, May Bell and their four children. An expert fisherman and musician, Wallace kept backyard pens filled with live alligators, turtles and fish for nature study. He loved the river and taught children the ways of manatees and porpoises. He shared the fish he caught with other settlers and with the pelicans. Sandhill cranes ate with his chickens, and a tame fawn roamed the yard.

Wallace organized and directed Melbourne's first orchestra composed of his children and their cousins, the older children of Charles and Addie Wallace Shull who lived nearby. "Uncle Billy's Band" played at parties at the old Carlton Hotel and at early 4th of July celebrations in Melbourne. Wallace later became the first city band director in West Palm Beach.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Melbourne, FL  |  Brevard County  |  32901  |  Florida  |  United States of America

Union Cypress Sawmill
Crenshaw Hotel
First Post Office Site
Orange Spot Inn
Florida East Coast Railroad
Front Street
History of the 1900 Building
Campbell Park
Melbourne Hotel
Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.