Indianola, Florida facts for kids

Indianola is a small, historic community located on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It's not a city, but an "unincorporated area," which means it's a place where people live that isn't part of a city or town. Indianola is found near where State Road 528 (the Bennett Causeway) crosses the Indian River and enters Merritt Island. It stretches north to the Indianola Cemetery and east towards State Road 3.

A Look Back at Indianola's Past

Indianola got its name in 1868 from Martha Ann Justice, who settled there with her husband, J.R. Field. They chose this spot on the east shore of the Indian River. Indianola became an important place in the late 1800s. It is home to two historic buildings, the Dr. George E. Hill House and the J. R. Field Homestead. Both of these buildings are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are officially recognized for their historical value.

The Indianola Cemetery

The Indianola Pioneer Cemetery is a special place with a long history. On November 4, 1898, Thomas H. Sanders and his wife Mary gave land to the Indianola community for a cemetery. They wanted a group of Trustees to take care of it.

This cemetery is also known as Williams Cemetery, and it used to be called Evergreen Cemetery. It is located next to a marina, with the Barge Canal to its north and State Road 528 to its south. The cemetery covers about 4.36 acres. Today, a group called PIONEER CEMETERY CORP TRUSTEES owns and maintains it.

There are 329 grave sites in the cemetery. The oldest grave belongs to John Moss Field, who passed away in 1891. A stone wall with a gate was built, and a bronze plaque was placed there to honor David and Sallie Williams. Because of this, the name "Williams" became connected to the cemetery.

The Old Post Office

A U.S. post office opened in Indianola on January 22, 1889. This was an important service for the community. However, it closed on May 15, 1926. After that, people in Indianola received their mail through the Cocoa post office.

Famous People from Indianola

One notable person who lived in Indianola, even if only for a short time as a child, was Emory L. Bennett. He was a brave soldier who later received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award given by the United States.