Cocoa, Florida

History

Etymology

Several stories circulate among Cocoa old timers as to how the town got its name. One story says that the mail used to come by river boat and was placed in an empty tin box labeled Baker's Cocoa. The box was nailed to a piling in the river next to downtown. Additionally, an early hotel in the area, located on the Indian River Lagoon, was named Cocoa House. Another story speaks of an elderly African-American woman who lived on the banks of the Indian River. She would supply hot cocoa to sailors traversing the Indian River. The sailors approaching her house were said to yell out "Cocoa!, Cocoa!", alerting the woman that they were present and wanted the beverage.

19th century

In 1885, the S. F. Travis Hardware store opened. As of 2023, the business remains open. Cocoa's business district was mostly destroyed by fire in 1890, but significant development soon was stimulated by the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River Railway to Cocoa.

The city was chartered on October 1, 1895. In the winter of 1894–1895, Cocoa had an economic setback when the "Great Freeze" destroyed the citrus crop and forced many citrus workers to seek new jobs. By 1903, the population of Cocoa had declined to 382.

Early 20th Century

In the 1910s, population growth in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911–1912 stated the population was 550. In October 1918, the mayor of Cocoa proclaimed that all places of assembly, including schools, churches, and movies, be closed to avoid spreading the Spanish flu. By 1925, its population was estimated at 1,800. By 1930, despite the Great Depression, the population had risen to 2,200.

World War II and beyond

The population rose dramatically following the development of the space industry, quadrupling from 3,098 in 1940 to 12,244 in 1960. Cocoa and the surrounding area also became integrated with the tourist industry for the first time, as thousands visited the area to witness the launches from Cape Canaveral. By 1980, the city's population had grown to 16,096.

Education was segregated until the 1960s, when Monroe High School and elementary schools for black students were closed.

In 1964, the Cocoa Expo Sports Center (Cocoa Stadium) was built for the Colt 45s spring baseball training and Grapefruit League games. The team later became the Houston Astros. In the early 1980s, the city attempted to upgrade the stadium by asking the Astros to pay for needed repairs. In 1985, the team responded by moving its training to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. As a result, future negotiations with major league teams would be done by the county government.

Clearlake Middle School was closed in 2013. Students were moved to Cocoa High School, which was converted to a junior and senior high school.

Government

Cocoa first approved the council-manager form of government in 1959, and subsequent changes to the state statutes mirrored the City of Cocoa's plan. The city council serves as the board of directors for the city, with the mayor as chairman. The city manager serves as the chief executive. The city council for the City of Cocoa is made up of five members; the mayor is elected at large and the four council members are elected by each of their districts.

• Mayor – Michael C. Blake
• Councilman, District 1 – Alex Goins
• Councilman, District 2 – Lavander Hearn
• Councilman, District 3 – Matthew Barringer (appointed, upon resignation of previous councilman)
• Councilwoman, District 4 – Lorraine Koss
• City Manager (appointed) – Stockton Whitten

In 2007, the city had a taxable real-estate base of $1.18 billion.

Cocoa has its own police and fire departments. The Cocoa Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within the city. It is aided by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, for court and civil process. The Cocoa Fire Department has three stations. Brevard County Fire Rescue also has a station within the city limits. In 2021, the city had an authorized police force of 72 police officers and 44 firefighters.

Geography

Cocoa is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.9 km2, 5.4 km2 (13.46%) are covered by water. Cocoa is home to the highest point in Brevard County, listed by the USGS as being 83 ft above sea level at its apex.

Fauna

The Cocoa Bird Count has annually counted species of birds in or near Cocoa since 1950. In 2010, it counted 150 species. An annual "Christmas Bird Count" was conducted before this, starting in 1900.

Climate

| Jul record low F = 54 | Aug record high F = 101 | Aug record low F = 33 | Sep record high F = 101 | Sep record low F = 51 | Oct record high F = 99 | Jun record low F = 56 | Oct record low F = 30 | Nov record high F = 93 | Nov record low F = 27 | Dec record high F = 88 | Dec record low F = 19 | Jul record high F = 108 | Jan record high F = 91 | Jan record low F = 19 | Feb record high F = 92 | Feb record low F = 23 | Mar record high F = 94 | Jun record high F = 103 | Mar record low F = 26 | Apr record high F = 97 | Apr record low F = 36 | May record high F = 102 | May record low F = 47 | Nov avg record high F = 89 | Nov avg record low F = 35 | Dec avg record high F = 86 | Dec avg record low F = 26 | Oct avg record high F = 93 | Oct avg record low F = 47 | Aug avg record high F = 99 | Sep avg record low F = 62 | Apr avg record high F = 94 | Jan avg record low F = 25 | Jan avg record high F = 86 | Feb avg record high F = 88 | Feb avg record low F = 28 | Mar avg record high F = 91 | Mar avg record low F = 34 | Apr avg record low F = 41 | Sep avg record high F = 97 | May avg record high F = 98 | May avg record low F = 52 | Jun avg record high F = 100 | Jun avg record low F = 61 | Jul avg record high F = 100 | Jul avg record low F = 64 | Aug avg record low F = 64

Demographics

2010 and 2020 censuses

As of the 2020 United States census, 19,041 people, 8,062 households, and 4,550, families were residing in the city.

As of the 2010 United States census, 17,140 people, 7,429 households, and 4,480 families resided in the city.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 16,412 people, 6,939 households, and 4,232 families lived in the city. The population density was 2,200.3 PD/sqmi. The 8,064 housing units had an average density of 1,081.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 62.47% White, 32.28% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.93% of the population.

Of the 6,939 households, 28.4% had children under 18 living with them, 37.0% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were not families. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In 2000, in the city, the age distribution was 26.4% under 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

Economy

Personal income

According to 2020 United States census data:

• Median household income = $45,011
• Per capita income = $26,831
• Below the poverty line: 13.0% of the population

Industry

Construction and retail trade are the two largest industries by employment in Cocoa as of 2017. In 2008, Kel-Tec CNC Industries, located in Cocoa, was the third-largest manufacturer of pistols in the United States. Cocoa has 1,381 registered businesses that include light manufacturing and industrial, retail, and office businesses as of 2017. Cocoa hosts one of the facilities building SpaceX Starship.

Workforce

In 2017, 9,633 persons were employed, with 84% having a high school education or higher.

Tourism

Tourism is high in the downtown historic business district. Cruise passenger tourists come from Port Canaveral on excursions or day trips. In addition, tourists are attracted to the historic sites and local attractions such as the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, the Eastern Florida State College Planetarium and Observatory, Historic Cocoa Village, Indian River Queen (excursion boat), Indian River Drive scenic by-pass, the Aladdin Theater, Historic Porcher House, and Riverfront Park. Historic Cocoa Village has shopping and two Golden Spoon award-winning restaurants, and boutiques. The city sponsors more than 50 special events each year.

Cocoa Village

The historic downtown area is called Cocoa Village, situated along Florida Avenue to Stone Street, and stretching to Riverfront Park along the Indian River. It has shops and restaurants, and is surrounded by historic buildings and the Cocoa Riverfront Park. The Florida Historical Society is headquartered in the historic Cocoa Post Office, originally built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration. The area was revitalized by funding for public infrastructure through the Cocoa Redevelopment Agency, city, and private investment. Cocoa Village is also home to the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, which was originally called The Aladdin Theatre.

Education

The city area has these educational institutions:

Higher education:

• Eastern Florida State College, Cocoa Campus
• University of Central Florida, Cocoa Campus

Public school system:

• Cambridge Elementary School
• Cocoa High School
• Endeavor Elementary Magnet School
• Saturn Elementary School

Private schools:

• Emma Jewel Charter Academy
• St. Marks Episcopal Academy

Infrastructure

Transportation

Major roads

All are at least four-lane roads, unless otherwise designated.

• – This is the main north–south route through the city, known officially as Cocoa Boulevard. From north to south, the road enters Cocoa via the census-designated place Sharpes. The road follows a vaguely northwest–southeast course as it passes through Cocoa Village. Major intersections include SR 528 (diamond interchange), Michigan Avenue, CR 503, and SR 520.
• – There are three interchanges within city limits: SR 520 (exit 201), SR 524 (exit 202), and SR 528 (exit 205).
• – This is the secondary north–south road in Cocoa, known locally as Clearlake Road. It runs from SR 524 to SR 520. Major intersections include SR 524, Michigan Avenue, CR 503, Lake Drive, and SR 520.
• – This is a minor county road, known locally as Dixon Boulevard, running from SR 501 to US 1. Major intersections include SR 501, Fiske Boulevard and US 1.
• – This scenic two-lane county road, known locally as, from north to south, Indian River Drive, Brevard Drive/Delannoy Avenue (south/north), and Rockledge Drive, is a slow residential route running directly parallel to the Indian River. Major intersections include Dixon Boulevard and SR 520 (northbound shares a brief concurrency).
• – This is the main east–west route through the city; 25,000 vehicles/day drive through Cocoa Village. Starting from the west, the road enters the city limits of Cocoa from unincorporated Brevard County and takes on the name King Street. It then intersects SR 524. Following a brief interruption from Cocoa West, the road then runs through Cocoa Village on a pair of one-way streets, eastbound named King Street and westbound named Willard Street, and onto the Merritt Island Causeway. Major intersections include SR 524, I-95 (diamond interchange), SR 501, SR 519, US 1, and Indian River Drive.
• – This is a rural, sometimes two-lane, secondary road running from SR 520 to SR 528. It has no local name. Major intersections include SR 520, I-95, SR 501, and SR 528.
• – This is an east–west highway running from unincorporated areas of the county to the census-designated and unincorporated place of Merritt Island. Major intersections include I-95, SR 524, and US 1.

Rail

The Florida East Coast Railway runs through Cocoa. Into the early 1960s, passengers could take one of two Chicago-bound trains (on alternating days), the City of Miami or the South Wind (both via Birmingham) and the New York-bound East Coast Champion, Havana Special, and Miamian from the Florida East Coast Railway's Cocoa-Rockledge station. Into the latter 1950s, passengers could take the Dixie Flagler to Chicago via Atlanta from the station. All passenger trains along the FEC were suspended in 1963 due to a strike. The FEC resumed local passenger service between Jacksonville and the Miami area from 1965 until July 31, 1968.

Brightline is an inter-city rail route that currently runs between Miami and Orlando. On March 12, 2024, Brightline officials confirmed that an infill station on the Space Coast would be built in Cocoa.

Bus

Space Coast Area Transit operates a public bus service in Cocoa and vicinity.

Water

Since 1957, Cocoa has supplied the communities of central Brevard County with potable water. Cocoa made major investments in the water supply and treatment facilities needed to produce a sub-regional water system.

In 2017, Cocoa provided an average of 23000000 USgal of water daily to over 80,000 customers (250,000 people) in Cocoa, Rockledge, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Suntree/Viera, Patrick Air Force Base, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

Cocoa's water system includes the wellfield and raw water collection system, Wewahootee Water Treatment Plant, transmission mains, and the Dyal Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Cocoa's drinking water sources include the Floridian Aquifer, Intermediate Aquifer, Taylor Creek Reservoir, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) wells. All of these facilities are located in east Orange County. A distribution system and storage pumping facilities are located in Brevard County.

The Dyal WTP processes about nine billion gallons per year, with peak flows reaching 38 million gallons per day (mgd) during the summer. Daily flows average 25 mgd. The Dyal WTP is unusual for Central Florida because it is capable of treating both ground and surface water.

The flag was originally painted on the water tower free of charge by a Greek immigrant. He wanted to decorate the tower in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. In 2014, the city refurbished and repainted the tower with the iconic American flags.

Media

Radio stations

• WMMV 1350 AM
• WWBC 1510 AM
• WMIE-FM 91.5
• WQCP 93.9 FM
• WRRQ-LP 96.9 FM

Television station

• WUCF-TV 68, a PBS member station operated by a consortium of the University of Central Florida and Eastern Florida State College.

Points of interest

• Florida Solar Energy Center
• Brevard Museum of History & Natural Science
• Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History

Historic sites

• Community Woman's Club
• Aladdin Theater
• Historic Derby Street Chapel
• Porcher House
• St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Athletics

The Houston Astros held spring training in Cocoa from 1964 through 1984, and the Florida Marlins trained in Cocoa in 1993. Cocoa Stadium was also the long-time home of the Florida State League Cocoa Astros.

In 2009, the Space Coast Surge, a member of the Florida Winter Baseball League, had Cocoa Stadium as its home stadium. The league suspended operations in November 2009.

Cocoa High School has numerous state-champion athletic teams. In 2015, the Cocoa High School football team was ranked 13th in Florida and first in the county, and had a 35-game winning streak against other Brevard County schools.

Notable people

• Emory L. Bennett (1929–1951), United States Army soldier during the Korean War and Medal of Honor recipient. A statue of him is in Cocoa Riverfront Park
• Tarean Folston (born 1995), football player at the University of Notre Dame
• Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson (born 1997), NFL American football player
• Jumaine Jones (born 1979), professional basketball player
• Chip Skowron (c. 1968), hedge fund portfolio manager, convicted of insider trading
• Abbie Sweetwine (1921–2009), nurse who was called "The Angel of Platform 6" for her work during the Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash
• Scott Thompson (aka; Carrot Top) (born 1965), a 1983 Cocoa High School graduate, is an American stand-up comedian and actor
• Nick Wynne (born 1943) historian, writer, and educator

Sister city

• Israel Beit Shemesh, Israel. On October 7, 2007, the city became a sister city with Beit Shemesh. Eastern Florida State College announced that it would participate by exchanging students.

References

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