2012 photo by Sheila Moss and Pauline Cormier
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The William H. Gleason house is one of Melbourne's most historically and architecturally significant residences. It was built in 1892 for Eau Gallie's founder William H. Gleason. Gleason, the first Lieutenant Governor of Florida after the Civil War, purchased the property that became Eau Gallie in 1869 and directed the fortunes of the nascent community until his death in 1902. The Gleason House is one of the few surviving examples of Queen Anne style architecture in Melbourne. It features a gable roof with cornice returns, a triangular dormer with decorative trusses, and a full-height hexagonal tower. A large veranda with a hip roof is detailed with turned wooden posts, brackets, spindle work, and balustrades. Several hooded brick chimneys pierce the roof and a large oriel bay extends from the south side of the building. The Gleason family has maintained ownership of the residence for 98 years. [Olausen]
The William H. Gleason house remained in the family until 1995. It is now the Old Pineapple Inn. For more information, visit oldpineappleinn.com
2012 photo by Sheila Moss and Pauline Cormier