J. R. Field Homestead, house in Florida, United States of America
The J. R. Field Homestead is a two-story house built in the 1880s on Merritt Island in Florida. It sits on large grounds overlooking the Indian River and contains original furnishings and household items that reveal daily life from that period.
The Field family arrived from Georgia in 1868 and claimed land using the Homestead Act. Most family members returned home, but John Robert and his brother remained, establishing a successful citrus farming operation that included a packing house by 1900.
The homestead reflects how early settlers lived on the island, with original furnishings and simple rooms that show daily routines of families like the Fields. The house and surrounding land reveal the connection between people and the natural world that defined life in that era.
The house is open on specific days, especially during festivals and events like the annual oyster and fish fry in fall. Check the visiting schedule in advance and wear comfortable shoes to explore the grounds and surrounding riverfront area.
The homestead hosts an annual oyster and fish fry in fall that draws people from across the region for seafood and local celebration. This event has become a beloved community tradition that honors the Field family heritage and island history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.