INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — It was said by the late environmentalist and former County Commissioner Maggy Bowman that “Roseland is a state of mind.”
Marked by road signs welcoming visitors to Historic Roseland, established in 1892, Roseland markets itself as home to small cottages, shellrock roads, and a quaint lifestyle. It’s a place where the sweet music from a weekly bluegrass jam at the community center fills the air on Thursday nights.
It’s small enough that people not only know their neighbors – they know all about their neighbors.
The area spanning from the Indian River west to the Sebastian City Limits, situated north of Sebastian along the St. Sebastian River is technically just unincorporated Indian River County, but it has a flavor, a sense of place and even a zip code, 32957, all its own.
It’s even recognized as a “census designated place” by the government, so we know that there are roughly 1,472 people in Roseland – down from 1,775 in the 2010 census – who live in roughly 850 households.
The census also says that Roseland is 92 percent white, 3 percent Hispanic, 1 percent black, 1 percent Asian and 3 percent other races or mixed race and that roughly one-third of the residents are age 65 or older.
Just a hop, skip and a jump from mega-churches and big-box stores, Roseland looks a bit like the place that time forgot, and that’s just fine with Roseland Community Association President Fred Mensing.
“The people of Roseland have an independent state of mind – leave us alone, we don’t want any progress around us,” Mensing said. “The people here have never wanted any commercial development and we don’t want to be a part of the City of Sebastian.”
Despite being racially homogeneous, Mensing said Roseland is quite diverse when it comes to religious beliefs, “we’ve got just about everything.”
It’s the home of several denominations of the Christian faith and the Shiloh Ranch for boys, plus the interfaith Kashi Ashram and a Buddhist spiritual center.
Mensing first landed in Roseland as a kid in 1949. He was eight years old and attended school at the old Sebastian City Hall in the winter and in Pennsylvania in the summer until 1958 when the powers that be wanted him to only go to one school.
His family returned north and Mensing returned to Roseland in 1980 for good.
He arrived right after some very unwanted changes had begun to break ground.
Residents banded together in the mid-1970s to fight development in Roseland.
They lost, however, and the Riverwalk Shopping Center and the plaza anchored by Beall’s Outlet and Dollar General are proof of that defeat.
They did stop the widening of Roseland Road, so that’s an accomplishment.
Though not hospitable to commercial development, Roseland residents do like visitors, especially today, Saturday Dec. 1, from Noon to 3 p.m. when they celebrate the history and heritage of Roseland with the annual barbeque at what’s known as the “old firehouse” on 129th Court between US 1 and CR512 off Roseland Road.
It’s known as the old firehouse because for many decades, the burg of Roseland used to be protected by an all-volunteer fire-rescue company before the county built a station nearby.
Now it’s more of a social club and the hall hosts parties, events and a lively bingo game.
The Roseland Community Association also meets there to discuss upcoming projects or policies at the county level that may affect the area.
The barbecue promises to be memorable, with the menu consisting of a full plate of chicken or pork barbecue prepared by Roseland resident and professional chef Joanie Reed, with all the tempting side dishes like beans, cole slaw and cornbread, plus iced tea for only $10.
Tickets may be purchased at the door and a $5 hot dog kids’ plate will be available.
Cindy Wade, vice president of the Roseland Community Association wrote about the event that “Proceeds from the day will be used to provide continuing education scholarships to students who live in Roseland, as well as other projects that preserve the small-town ambiance of the community.”
A silent auction and old-fashioned bake sale will accompany the meal.
The Summer Rain band and dancing may break out if the crowd is lively.
For more information, call Wade at (772) 388-1228.
