Our Town

Founding of Indialantic
It all started in 1915 when Ernest Kouwen-Hoven moved to Melbourne and purchased a strip of beachside land lying between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. He envisioned this property as becoming an exclusive beachside resort and indeed it did. This one-square mile became known as “Indialantic-by-the-Sea” The first map of this area was recorded in 1916.

Back then the only means of access to Indialantic was by boat or ferry. In 1919 Kouwen-Hoven began construction of a wooden bridge across the Indian River from Melbourne to Indialantic. It became known as the “Kouwen-Hoven’s Folly” because of predictions it would never be completed. Kouwen-Hoven financed the construction by issuing his own bonds at 8% interest and using his land in Indialantic as an incentive for prospective buyers. If a person purchased a $100.00 bond, he could buy a lot for $20.00. The bridge was finally completed in 1921 and used for many years. Lighted by kerosene lanterns, the bridge was often set afire when they were blown or knocked over. It was not uncommon for drivers to travel with hammers to pound loose nails back into the wooden planks.

In 1941, a new concrete and steel swing bridge was begun. Construction, delayed with the onset of World War 11, was completed in 1947. This bridge was used until the existing high-rise was completed in 1985.

A stable community of homeowners was established in Indialantic during the Florida real estate boom that reached its peak in 1925. The 1.05-square mile area was incorporated in 1952 with a population of 1,500. It is today a quiet, primarily residential Town with a population of 2,844. Strict zoning codes and enforcement of these codes keep Indialantic a unique and prestigious community. Even though a large portion of the population is retired, there is still a diversity of residents consisting of young couples with children, professionals, business people, artists and students.

Indialantic stores and businesses cater to all the basic needs plus more exotic demands. Restaurants vary from fast food and family establishments to ethnic and gourmet dining. Residents and tourists can enjoy the public beach area from Miami to Watson. Swimming, fishing, boating and surfing are favorite pastimes. Threatened and endangered sea turtles nest along the shore from May through October. The recently refurbished boardwalk offers a place to stroll along the ocean and the parks throughout the Town provide getaways from the day’s routine.

Designated a bird sanctuary in 1975 by a Town Council proclamation, the Town has taken measures to protect its abundance of animal species and plant life. Indialantic remains a natural, unspoiled paradise

Mary and Walter Hayward – Founders of the Town of Indialantic
MARY AND WALTER HAYWARD
Indialantic Town Founders
by Karen Raley

Mary Leubuscher Hayward was a professional actress and singer performing on Broadway when she met her husband-to-be, Walter Sumner Hayward, a noted author and historian, at the home of mutual friends. They were married in 1944 and came south on the train to see Walter’s house in Indialantic. Walter had visited the Indian River area in the 1930s and purchased a riverfront home in Indialantic-by-the-Sea, then a struggling development. A sometime winter resident, Walter rented the Indialantic house to a military family during the war. When they arrived in Indialantic, the Haywards couldn’t help but feel this area’s contrast with New York. Here, there were very few cultural activities, a sparse population, and a property in need of work.

Mary and Walter Hayward circa 1952

Other than a few massive live oaks and some sandspurs, there were few plants on their lots. The Haywards set to work transforming the house and grounds. At that time, their house was at the end of the road, then named Magnolia Drive. On the east side of the road, the Haywards raised a large vegetable garden. By the early 1950s, the community of Indialantic was experiencing problems—poor street maintenance, inadequate fire protection, lack of building and zoning restrictions, and a developer’s threat to the public ownership of the beach. The Haywards were among a group of concerned citizens who organized the Indialantic Civic Association, the committee that guided the incorporation of the Town of Indialantic. Walter served as Recorder for the group, was elected to the first Town Council, and later became President of the Council and Mayor. Mary became secretary of the ICA, chaired the committee that took the first census of the Town of Indialantic, and continued to serve on various town boards for over 40 years.

The Haywards commuted to Sharon, Conn., for the summers, but their love of Florida, even in the hot months, led them to remain here year-round after the 1960s. Perhaps part of the reason for this was their dedication to community activities. The Haywards were movers and shakers, especially in the areas of the arts and politics. Further, as a result of Walter’s interest in horticulture, they created a botanical paradise on their property. Nicknamed “the Jungle,” the Hayward grounds are the result of over 50 years of patient care by the Haywards, particularly in association with Merritt Island nurseryman, Bemis Gordon, and croton expert, Frank Brown. Inside the home, Walter’s talent as carpenter is evident, too.

Mary was a founder of the South Brevard League of Women Voters and served as its first president. She was a charter member and president of the Melbourne High School PTA. She and Walter were early supporters and organizers of the Indian River Players and the Surfside Players. While both the Haywards acted in productions, Mary also directed many plays and served on the Surfside Board of Directors during the period when the Cocoa Beach group was building its own theater. Another of the Haywards’ contributions was their role in organizing the first concert series in the Melbourne area. In the 1970s, they assisted in the formation of the BACAM, now the Brevard Museum of Art and Science. The Haywards have long been supporters of art, theatrical, and musical organizations in South Brevard.

In the 1970s, Mary became a photographer, doing her own darkroom and color print work. She became known for her loving portraits, Florida landscapes, and nature close-ups. Exhibiting in local galleries, Mary also had a one-woman show in Indialantic.

The Haywards came to the Melbourne/Indialantic area when it was so small that everyone knew each other and everybody had an important place in the community. Both remarkable people, their contributions were noticeable in the areas of culture and government. But the greatest treasure they have given to others is the immense pleasure of their friendship. Walter, who died in 1993 at the age of 99, was known for his gregarious personality and truly amazing intellect. Mary, who still resides in the Riverside Drive home, has always been known for her talents, graceful charm, and loving generosity.

Indialantic’s Colorful Past
In the 1920’s rum-running off the coast of Indialantic was prevalent. It was during this time that the Indialantic Casino and the Indialantic Hotel were popular resorts with visitors from all parts of the world. The names were later changed to the Bahama Beach Club and the Tradewinds Hotel

The Indialantic Casino was a fashionable place to gather for recreation, fun and swimming. Being right on the ocean, it provided a perfect vacation spot. There was a saltwater swimming pool, cabanas and an elegant shopping center. In 1944, it was purchased by Karl Abbott who changed the name to the Bahama Beach Club. Walter Rolland purchased the club in the early fifties and turned it into an exclusive private club. For years it flourished but in the 1960’s it began to decline and was opened to the public in 1961. Later in the 1960’s, it was purchased by the Town of Indialantic. The building had deteriorated to the point where it was razed by the Indialantic Fire Department in 1970. The property is now a beautiful park with public facilities. It is used by thousands of people annually.

The Tradewinds Hotel, located on Shannon Avenue, was a famous elegant hotel which lured people from all parts of the world. Completed in 1925, it boasted luxurious rooms, a grand lobby and a beautiful dining room. It also had a pool and golf course. The hotel was visited by many dignitaries and flourished for many years and then fell into decline. In the early 1970’s it was owned by Florida Institute of Technology and was used as a dormitory. After that, many attempts were made to find a plan to refurbish the grand old building but to no avail. The building continued to deteriorate and became an unsightly nuisance and fire hazard in the Town. Finally in the 1980’s a group of developers bought the property to build single family residences. Even though the building was an eyesore, there were many sad people in Indialantic on the day the developers brought in the wrecking ball to destroy a landmark that had become a part of Indialantic’s history. Today, there are beautiful single family residences on the site where the Tradewinds Hotel once stood.

Boat Racing in Indiaiantic
On May 11, 1975, the Melbourne/Indialantic Causeway was the scene of the Dr. Pepper Spring Regatta, an outboard race sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association. Nearly a thousand spectators lined the causeway to watch the spectacle. Units of The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Marine Patrol directed boat traffic outside the race course to keep wakes down. The first of two scheduled one-hour marathons started with a roar as several classes of boats competed for prize money and trophies. The crowd was rewarded with an exciting race.

Throughout the afternoon volunteers from the sponsoring Indialantic Improvement Association distributed programs and sold specially-designed T-shirts. Local radio station WTAI broadcast the event. Indialantic officials lent

Dick Hunter 1975

their support, and residents cheered the racers on. The event was also supported by chambers of commerce, Brevard County Commissioners, and the District 3 Recreation Department. Local businesses had contributed by purchasing ads in the program.

Dick Hunter, Indialantic businessman, ran in the second marathon. He was driving a tunnel-hull boat, powered by a Mercury racing motor capable of doing over 100 MPH. As chairman of the race committee, and the only local racer, Hunter hoped to provide the spectators with a full afternoon of exciting racing. But midway into his race a sudden thunderstorm brought lightning and high winds, causing the black flag to come out. The race was stopped immediately.

Despite the day’s racing being cut short, it was an enjoyable day on the causeway. The racers enjoyed it and the spectators enjoyed it. The best part was having the support of the entire community.

Dick Hunter became interested in racing while driving the boat that pulled his children in state-wide ski races. After each ski race, the drivers held a race of their own. Those hot-boat races got him started on a racing career that lasted several years and involved the whole family: his wife, Zada; their older daughter, Eilene; Eilene’s husband, who also raced for a time; their younger daughter, Christy, who was in her teens; and their son Clay, who was eleven years old. Each month when The Propeller, a magazine published by the APBA, was due, there was a race to the mailbox to see how Dad had done in the point standings that month.

The Hunter family often could be seen on the causeway while Dick tested props and improved his boat’s handling. Christy gritted her teeth and learned the difficult skill of backing a trailer down the ramp to launch the boat. Clay held the boat steady for his dad and helped with getting it in and out of the water. At the races, Clay and Christy acted as crew and Zada was the scorer for her husband’s boat. Publicity and record-keeping were also Zada’s responsibility.

Dick started his racing career off this same causeway in April 1972. He began with a small vee-bottom outboard. The first race he ran as a member of APBA was in Clearwater, Fla. He came in second in his class. That year he ran 23 races, 14 in Florida and 9 out of state, as far away as Maryland and New Jersey. He finished the year a close second nationwide for points in his class. In June, Hunter’s boat was damaged while racing under near-hurricane conditions in the St. John’s River in Jacksonville. He replaced it and campaigned the new boat through that year and part of the next.

Hunter continued racing in 1973 with a third boat. In June, he and Christy went to Ohio to race in a two hour marathon. She skipped her high school graduation to travel with her dad to the race. In August, it was off to Eufala, Alabama, for the Closed Course National Championships. Also, in August, Zada and Christy found themselves in complete charge of the scoring for a two-day regatta at a race in Clark Hill, Georgia. In September, the entire family went to Galveston, Texas just after Hurricane Delia had gone through. Dick was competing in the Marathon Nationals. Racing conditions were not ideal, but he won. The Galveston paper headlined their story “Hunter takes Formula-J class championship.” The story led off as follows: “Dick Hunter of Indialantic, Fla., won the Formula-J class championship Sunday in the National Powerboat races here. Hunter took the lead in the 22nd lap to nose out Joe Burgess of Galligan, Tenn.” The Melbourne Times Sports section printed a picture and story of the race. When asked what the hardest part of his racing experiences was, Dick replied, “Trying to tell people where Indialantic is.”

1974 found Dick racing at the Miami Marine Stadium, in Key West, at the Nationals in Eufaula, Alabama, and as far away as Madison, Wisconsin. He was first in points in both 1973 and 1974. In 1974 he set a world record at Key West—67.75 MPH in a one hour marathon for the vee-bottom class.

1975 saw the family travel to Parker, Arizona, where Dick co-drove another racer’s boat in a seven-hour Enduro on the Colorado River. The next year they cheered him on as he co-drove Hobe Sound, Fla. racer Homer Greene’s boat.

In early 1975 Dick moved up to a faster class with the tunnel hull boat. He entered 18 races that year, finishing first in the point standings again. He won the marathon nationals that year at Eufala, Alabama. He also set a world record which still stands—82.19 MPH for a five mile sprint race at Lakeland, Florida.

Hunter retired from racing in 1976. He officiated at races that year in Stuart, Florida and Guntersville, Alabama. He and the family had some very interesting times while he was involved in this highly competitive sport. One of the best things about those times was the people they met and the good friends they made.