William H. Gleason House, Queen Anne architectural residence in Melbourne, Florida.
The William H. Gleason House is a Queen Anne style residence in Melbourne, Florida, distinguished by a full-height hexagonal tower. The structure features a gable roof with decorative cornice details, a triangular dormer with ornamental trusses, large bay windows on the south side, and a front veranda topped with a hip roof.
William Henry Gleason built this house in 1884 after acquiring vast tracts of land in Brevard County and establishing the settlement of Eau Gallie. The structure stands as a record of regional development during Florida's early growth period and Gleason's contributions to founding communities there.
The residence shows how wealthy families in late 1800s Florida decorated their homes with elaborate wooden details and craftsmanship. The intricate carvings and embellishments reflect the tastes of prosperous households during that era and their appreciation for skilled woodwork.
The house is located in a residential neighborhood in Melbourne and is fairly easy to access on foot or by car. Visitors should allow time for observation from the street, as this is a historic private residence best appreciated from the exterior.
The house features distinctive hooded brick chimneys and remained in the Gleason family for over a century until 1990. This long family ownership makes it an uncommon example of continuity in a region where properties often changed hands.
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