Driving down Wickham Road, David Wickham is flooded with childhood memories. Born and raised in early Eau Gallie, David Wickham has lived in this small community for the entirety of his life, his family moving there in 1926.
For him, Eau Gallie was a “wonderful place” growing up.
“I have fond memories of just getting on my bike when I was even like six years old, riding around with my brother all day long,” Wickham said. “Mom and Dad didn’t have the slightest idea where we were at, and didn’t worry at all either. Back in those days, my parents were happy as long as we were home for dinner time.”
His father, Joe Wickham, was the first county commissioner for Brevard County, in position for 24 years. According to David, Joe was the one who founded most of the roads and areas of Melbourne citizens know today, all the way from 192 to Viera. For his effort and his commitment, both Wickham Park and Road were dedicated to him.
“He was so disappointed where the county was heading, so a lot of his friends talked him into running again, and he never lost an election after that,” Wickham said. “He was looking toward the future, and he had a lot of foresight. He was 100 years ahead of everybody else. Ninety to 95% of all the major roads you drive on in Melbourne? He’s the guy that planned them out, with most of it completely donated. He felt that it was his job, his civil duty, to help out the city.”
Once Eau Gallie’s name changed to Harbor City in the 1960s, Wickham mourned what was lost in the Eau Gallie community.
“The Eau Gallie slogan had always been called “The Harbor City.” So when it came to a vote, Harbor City won,” Wickham said. “I hated to see Eau Gallie lose its identity, even though they kept some of the things like the Eau Gallie Civic Center or the Eau Gallie post office. But overall, we lost our identity there.”
Wickham says he will always remember the close-knit Eau Gallie.
“I wish everybody had that experience that I had growing up in a small community where everybody knew everybody else,” he said.
