{"id":10,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:41:47","latitude":28.473064687611330469962922506965696811676025390625,"longitude":-80.7186663150787353515625,"title":"Sams House","subtitle":"A glimpse at the life of Brevard County pioneers","fullsize":"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/891e172bbc95d214528abba166e3d309.jpg","address":"6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953","all_locations":[],"zoom":18,"creator":["Explore Historic Titusville FL"],"description":"This site focuses on the hardships and achievements of the era of early American settlement. The one-story house on the site is reportedly the oldest standing home in Brevard County, built originally by the pioneering Sams family in Eau Gallie in 1875 and floated up the Indian River to its present location in 1878. It now houses a small museum that traces the history of the site from the prehistoric era to pioneer days. Its interactive exhibits of documents, memorabilia, and farm tools vividly brings the story of the Sams family to life. The larger white frame house, which now serves as the visitor’s center, was constructed by the Sams family in 1888. Don’t miss the historical garden path just beyond the parking lot, where you will see the incredible variety of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs that were grown by the pioneers in this area’s rich soil.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Sams House Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM \r\nClosed Mondays, New Year&#039;s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.\r\nPine Island Trail Hours: (North Gate): Monday - Sunday, 8:30 AM to sunset\r\nAdmission: Free \r\nAmenities: Parking, visitor’s center, gift shop, museum, restrooms, marked hiking trails, open-air exhibits \r\nPhone: (321) 449-4720","lede":"Clearing the thick hammocks of the Indian River shore, the Sams family eventually became prominent citrus growers and civic leaders","website":"<a href=\"https://www.brevardfl.gov/EELProgram/Sanctuaries/SamsHouseSanctuary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sams House website</a>","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/891e172bbc95d214528abba166e3d309.jpg":{"id":24,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"A view towards the houses of the Sams family","description":"Photo: Coherit Associates","thumbnail":"https://history.titusville.com/files/square_thumbnails/891e172bbc95d214528abba166e3d309.jpg"},"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/9d5b7112bff690f0f50debeea23445fa.jpg":{"id":25,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"The first Sams House, built in 1875","description":"Photo: Coherit Associates","thumbnail":"https://history.titusville.com/files/square_thumbnails/9d5b7112bff690f0f50debeea23445fa.jpg"},"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/1543eb9b4ac92196df41a5e9da3e6d82.jpg":{"id":26,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"John H. Sams (1839-1924)","description":"sitting with his great-granddaughter on the steps of his earliest house. | Ancestry.com","thumbnail":"https://history.titusville.com/files/square_thumbnails/1543eb9b4ac92196df41a5e9da3e6d82.jpg"},"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/bebb59d912d521247314cc4d89a95f97.jpg":{"id":27,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Sarah Stanyarne Sams (1840-1902)","description":"Dataw Historic Foundation","thumbnail":"https://history.titusville.com/files/square_thumbnails/bebb59d912d521247314cc4d89a95f97.jpg"},"https://history.titusville.com/files/fullsize/35344ad3a65bbed0e2a77a9e97c3f40a.jpg":{"id":28,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"The later Sams House, built in 1888","description":"Photo: Coherit Associates","thumbnail":"https://history.titusville.com/files/square_thumbnails/35344ad3a65bbed0e2a77a9e97c3f40a.jpg"},"https://history.titusville.com/files/original/4f4f82e6976049c9efc0c1bd17e3e580.mp3":{"id":364,"mime-type":"audio/mpeg","title":"Martha “Pat” Woelk on the settlement of her great-grandfather John H. Sams and his family on the Indian River","description":"Excerpts from an oral history interview for the Brevard County Historical Commission conducted by Bob Gross, November 14, 1993 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxbDGb4pnXo  "}}}