Early Settlers; the Michael Family

In 1886 Stephen Kelita Michael was among the first settlers to purchase a piece of property from Captain Forster and to construct a family home on it. The building materials for the first homes had to be floated down the river from Titusville, as there was no physical connection yet between the mainland and Orchid Island. The first bridge was finally constructed in 1926 and was made of wood. Nevertheless, the residents of Orchid Island enjoyed postal service as early as 1887 and it was Captain Forster who served as first Postmaster to the area.

Alfred Benjamin "A. B." Michael; Great Floridian

Stephen Michael had established a small citrus grove on Orchid Island after settling there with his family. After the grove was devastated by severe frost, his son A. B. Michael took over and reestablished the grove across 10 acres of land in 1902. He was just 25 years old at the time. Grapefruit produced from this thriving grove would become world famous for its fine quality and juicy sweetness.

In 2000, A. B. Michael was posthumously honored with a designation as Great Floridian by the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources in partnership with the Florida League of Cities. A plaque with this special designation is on display at Town Hall. It was awarded to A. B. Michael as he is considered "the Dean of Florida Citrus Industry" having been a founding director of the American Fruit Growers and the Florida Citrus Mutual, as well as being a charter member of the Indian River Citrus League. He also served on the Everglades National Park Commission and on the Florida State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Orchid would remain an agricultural community for a century; even in the ​late ​1990s citrus trees still grew here. 

The Michael family continues to reside on Orchid Island to this day.