How Cocoa Beach went from a tiny fishing community to the center of the American space program.
In 1950, Cocoa Beach had fewer than 300 residents. Ten years later it was the most famous beach in America.
A small fishing and farming community through the first half of the 20th century. Incorporated 1925. Citrus growing, sport fishing, a modest tourist trade. The beaches were undeveloped.
Kennedy's 1962 Moon announcement transformed Cape Canaveral. Tens of thousands of engineers and scientists flooded the area. Cocoa Beach became where the space program lived outside of work. The Mercury astronauts drank on A1A. That community created the character this town still has.
Kelly Slater — 11 world surfing titles, greatest competitive surfer in history — grew up surfing Cocoa Beach breaks. Ron Jon Surf Shop was founded here in 1959. The surf culture and space culture together are uniquely this place.
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