Eau Gallie developed as a small coastal town along the Indian River on the Florida East Coast.

Former lieutenant governor, William Henry Gleason founded Eau Gallie in 1869 as he made his way to Arlington from Miami.

[4] Gleason acquired land consisting of the entire area from the Indian River Lagoon to Lake Washington (about thirty square miles).

[3] Eau Gallie is commonly said to mean "rocky water", since coquina rocks were found in the area.

[10][11] Eau Gallie has original historic buildings, live oaks, and native plants located on the Indian River Lagoon.

It is anchored by the Eau Gallie Civic Center, Public Library and Pier, as well as Pineapple Park which has a lighted gazebo under ancient live oaks along the Indian River Lagoon, Foosaner Art Museum/FIT, and the Renee Foosaner Education Center.

[citation needed] Eau Gallie contains a historic area with several notable museums and houses.