The Ted Moorhead Lagoon House
We are open:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 2pm
We are located at 3275 Dixie Hwy NE, Palm Bay, FL 32901 (US-1 near the Honda Dealership by University Blvd).
The Lagoon House is the welcome center for the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway. The building is owned by the City of Palm Bay and run by the Marine Resources Council. We have exhibits focusing on the history and environment of the area and a map showing different stops along the byway.
The main room of the Lagoon House also has a projector that is used for presentations from outside speakers, such as with the Brown Bag Lunches, or for other events and meetings.
From the walkway overlooking the lagoon, dolphins, birds, manatees and other wildlife may be visible.
In conjunction with acting as an education center for the public, the Lagoon House also houses the offices of the Marine Resources Council. The MRC focuses primarily on factors influencing the environmental health of the Indian River Lagoon, including habitat/shoreline restoration and water quality.
Story of the Lagoon House
On April 2, 2005, the Lagoon House opened formally to the general public, offering insights and displays into the history of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway region and extolling it beauty and bounty, and promotiong its preservation and enhancement for future generations.
The idea for the Lagoon House began in 1998 when Ted Moorhead became aware of plans for a retention pond at Ais Point Lookout. He believed that the site on the bluff overlooking the lagoon was an ideal location for an environmental learning center.His wife, Ann, proposed the name "Lagoon House" and Palm Bay grant writer, Dave White, suggested that the National Scenic Byway program could potentially be a source of funding.
A working group met on April 14, 1999 and voted to organize into a Scenic Highway corridor advocacy group with Marine Resources Council sponsorship. As a result of its efforts, the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway was formally designated by the Florida Department of Trasportation on June 13, 2000 and was later afforded the status of a National Scenic Byway.
AJT & Associates contributed initial design work to get the project started.
The Palm Bay City Council approved grant applications to fund the Lagoon House. Construction was made possible by grants of $100,00 from the Florida Inland Navigation District, $800,000 from the National Scenic Byways Program, and $100,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Jan Smith contributed $97,000 from the T.R. and Dorothy Tomlinson estate (original owners of the site when it was a motel) to aid in furnishing the Lagoon House.
The South Brevard Historical Society loaned many of the historical items displayed in exhibits.
On April 2, 2005, the Lagoon House opened formally to the general public, offering insights and displays into the history of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway region and extolling it beauty and bounty, and promotiong its preservation and enhancement for future generations.