Brevard County

The modern record of Brevard County begins in 1513 when Ponce De Leon came ashore near Melbourne Beach. Being attacked by angry Ais Indians, he cut his visit short, beating a hasty retreat.

Florida became a territory of the United States in 1822, and a state in 1845. In 1854 the Florida legislature set aside a 72 mile stretch of land along the east coast. A year later, it was given the name Brevard County, after George Washington Brevard, the State Controller from 1854-1860.

In May 1949 President Harry Truman announced plans to turn the Banana River Naval Air Station (Now Patrick Air Force Base) into a testing area for guided missiles. In July, 1950, Bumper 8 was the first missile launched from Cape Canaveral.

The space program had begun; Brevard County was transformed into the Space Coast.

It is possible to see a rocket or shuttle launch out of Cape Canaveral or the Kennedy Space Center from anywhere in the county.

The area code in Brevard County is 321: as in 3.2.1.Blast Off!!!

Titusville has been the official county seat since 1894, but virtually all county administration takes place in the government buildings in Viera. Viera was chosen because of available land that is centrally located in the county (Titusville is in the far north end), and because it is closer to the major population centers.

Melbourne and Palm Bay, the two largest cities in Brevard County are more than 50 miles from Titusville.

In the 1990s there was discussion to move the county seat officially to Viera, along with the county government, but the move was never made.

There has also been a movement in northern Brevard County to break away from the rest of the county and become a new county with the proposed name Playalinda County.

Brevard County is home to the Kennedy Space Center, Port Canaveral, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, St. John's National Wildlife Refuge, and the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Brevard County has the largest collection of endangered wildlife and plants in the continental United States.

The Space Coast Stadium, located in Viera is home to the Brevard County Manatees. It is also spring training home to the Washington Nationals.

Brevard County is a 1,557 square mile area, with 72 mile of Atlantic Ocean beaches.

To find a home anywhere in Brevard County, please search our properties.