Here is an interesting picture from the Orlando Sentinel (Brevard News Edition) from 1965. Most students of the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More know that the company opened a small museum in the First National Bank of Satellite Beach. (See image below).
The museum opened in May 1965 (actually the Grand Opening was on Friday, April 30, 1965, by invitation only).
The museum lasted only two years and was replaced in June 1968 by a larger facility located in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In less than a decade that museum was gone, falling victim to changing traffic patterns, the decline of the space program, and other forces beyond its control. The original building in Cape Canaveral was demolished in 2017.
However, If you want to see the original museum in Satellite Beach just take a drive to 1090 Highway A1A and you will see the old First National Building (remodeled) and now the location of Wells Fargo Bank. Looking at the building it is hard to imagine that on this spot the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More displayed many treasures recovered from 1715 Fleet wreck sites. One must wonder if the occupants are aware of just how historic this building truly is and what it means to those who study and appreciate the history of the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More and the 1715 Fleet.
For more information on the museum located in Cape Canaveral read our article “Whatever happened to …….?” HERE.
