History

Sams Cabin, Brevard's Oldest Home!

According to Mattie Sams LaRoche as written in her Diary, the Sams Cabin was built in Eau Gallie in 1875. In 1878, the family moved their house to Merritt Island and homesteaded north of John's brother Seabrook Sams, at Courtenay. Mattie wrote that "... they took our Eau Gallie house to pieces and rafted it to his landing."

Now, 150 years later, we honor the history of the pioneer spirit of "a willingness to endure hardship in order to explore new places or try out new things" by maintaining this historical treasure

Prehistoric Florida

The Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area on Merritt Island holds significant evidence of prehistoric life, spanning both ancient animal populations and early human inhabitants.

Ice Age megafauna:

Archaeological discoveries at the site have unearthed fossils of large, now-extinct animals that roamed the area during the late Pleistocene epoch (Ice Age), including mammoths, mastodons, giant tortoises, and glyptodonts (giant armadillo-like creatures).

These finds indicate that Merritt Island was home to a diverse range of large animals long before the arrival of the Sams family in the late 19th century.

Early Native American Presence

Archaeological excavations have also revealed evidence of prehistoric Native American occupation at the Sams House site, dating back from approximately 5,000 BC to 1250 AD.

This suggests a long and sustained presence of early human communities in the area.

The Discovery Loop trail at the site provides insights into the Native American history of the area, featuring interpretive panels and open-air exhibits.

Visitors can also observe an ancient Native American burial mound located near the parking lot, partially excavated in 1895.

See more about the first peoples at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science exhibit of the Windover Archeological Site near Titusville, FL

Pioneer Life

Pioneer life on Merritt Island, Florida, was characterized by a strong connection to the land, agriculture, and the Indian River Lagoon's resources.

Families like the Sams and Fields established homesteads, cultivated crops like citrus and sugarcane, and contributed to the development of the island's community.

Many pioneers arrived after the Civil War seeking new opportunities, and their lives were shaped by the challenges and rewards of living in a relatively remote, yet resource-rich, environment.

"Educational , historical about surrounding area. First settler house on Merritt Island. Indian burial mound, fossils and more. really enjoyed this trails leads to a beautiful lagoon ! Highly recommended !”

- Evelyn Shrum." Google Maps Review

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