Hello From

Fellsmere!

 

 

“Frog Leg Capital of The World”

Anna Maria Island

Fellsmere

 A City in Indian River County, Florida

 

Fellsmere is a quiet, rural city in Indian River County, Florida, known for its agricultural roots, natural beauty, and close-knit community. Surrounded by farmland and wetlands, it offers a glimpse of Old Florida charm with a rich cultural heritage and strong local traditions. Fellsmere is also notable for its historical milestones in women’s rights and its connection to nature-based recreation and eco-tourism.

Fellsmere, Florida

Location & Size

Fellsmere is located in Indian River County in central east Florida, about 10 miles west of Sebastian and 80 miles southeast of Orlando.

The city spans approximately 57 square miles, making it one of the largest cities in Florida by land area.

Founded

Fellsmere was founded in the late 1800s by E. Nelson Fell, a British engineer and entrepreneur who envisioned creating a thriving agricultural community in the fertile wetlands of western Indian River County. He established the Fellsmere Farms Company around 1892, which focused on draining the marshland to make it suitable for farming. The area’s name—Fellsmere—comes from Fell’s surname combined with “mere,” an old English word for lake or pond.

The town grew quickly with the arrival of settlers and the expansion of the railroad, which made it easier to ship produce. In 1911, Fellsmere was officially incorporated as a city. Remarkably, it became known for its progressive spirit—in 1915, Fellsmere became the first city in Florida where women legally voted, five years before women gained the right to vote nationwide.

Although the original farming operations struggled due to floods and economic downturns, Fellsmere endured as a small but proud community rooted in agriculture, history, and civic achievement. Today, it stands as a symbol of early innovation and equality in Florida’s development.

FELLSMERE WEATHER

Population

Roughly 5,800 residents

Known For

  • Historic Frog Leg Festival, one of the largest of its kind in the world

  • Early leader in women’s voting rights (first woman voted here in Florida, 1915)

  • Rural landscapes, farms, and open spaces

  • Access to nearby nature preserves, such as St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

  • Old Florida small-town atmosphere

Cost of living

  • Median Household Income: About $51,000

  • Median Home Price: Around $310,000

  • Median Rent: Approximately $1,500/month


Fellsmere’s cost of living is lower than Florida’s coastal cities, offering affordable housing and a peaceful lifestyle.

Things to do

  • Attend the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, featuring food, music, and family fun

  • Explore Blue Cypress Lake for kayaking, boating, and birdwatching

  • Visit St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park for hiking and wildlife viewing

  • Learn local history at the Marian Fell Library, one of the oldest in the region

  • Enjoy fishing and airboat tours through the nearby wetlands

Fun Facts

  • Fellsmere was the first city in Florida where women legally voted, five years before the 19th Amendment.

  • The city’s name comes from E. Nelson Fell, a British engineer who helped develop the area.

  • The annual Frog Leg Festival began in 1990 and draws thousands of visitors each January.

  • Despite its small population, Fellsmere covers more land than nearby Vero Beach or Sebastian.

Nearby Cities

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