rockledge

Founded in 1867, Rockledge is known as the oldest municipality in Brevard County. Originally called Rock Ledge, eventually the name was truncated to Rockledge. Coquina rock, a rock that is composed of shells, mollusks and other invertebrates from the ocean, is found prolifically throughout the Rockledge area in layers…thus the name Rockledge. No one knows for certain exactly who came up with the name Rockledge, in fact there are several stories attributed to the name. None the less, Rockledge was a well-known resort town in the early 1900’s. Rockledge had several large and lush hotels to house the winter Snowbirds. In fact, President Grover Cleveland visited the town in 1888. Wealthy Snowbirds increased the population from 200 year round residents to around 2,000 with their arrival each winter. Early industry in the Rockledge area outside of tourism was in the citrus trade. 

Top Reasons to Live in Rockledge:

Located between the Indian River and the St Johns River, a scant 45 miles east of Orlando, Rockledge allows residents to enjoy the benefits of living on the beautiful Space Coast of Brevard County, yet work in Orlando! 

Rockledge covers over 13 square miles with a population of over 20,000 people. If you look really hard, you may find a home price in the $60,000 range, but those are few and far between. Homes generally start in the $100,000 range and go up to the mid $500’s. 

Rockledge is enviably situated in that all of the amenities along 520 on Merritt Island are a short drive away. The Merritt Island Mall has abundant shopping and dining. Bonefish Grill is along the Merritt Island Causeway. The Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill is a perennial favorite! 

For residents that travel a great deal, Rockledge is a great option as Orlando International Airport is just over 30 minutes away. I-95 is just to the west of town and offers an easy access north and south! The Kennedy Space Center is just minutes away, and Cape Canaveral is Beachside just east of Merritt Island.  

 Titusville was founded in 1867 when Confederate Colonel Henry Theodore Titus stepped ashore on the banks of the Indian River, although the first U. S Post Office in the area was established in 1859 in what was then known as Sand Point. Colonel Titus came to Sand Point with the idea of building a town on land owned by his wife Mary, and overlooking the Indian River where they had first stepped ashore, they built the first hotel and named it "The Titus House". The Colonel and Mary donated land for the first courthouse, four churches, laid out many of the town’s streets, and established a link to the outside world by connecting the St. Johns and Indian Rivers with mule-drawn wagons.

Today’s "Titusville" might have been known as "Riceville" except for the craftiness of Colonel Titus who won a challenge match of dominoes against Capt. Clark Rice to determine which player got to rename the town. Thus the outcome of a domino game resulted in Sand Point becoming Titusville, Florida in 1873. 

Top Reasons to Live in Titusville:

It is bordered on the west by the St. Johns River, the eastern edge runs along the Indian River Lagoon providing access to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore and Kennedy Space Center. Titusville's central location offers easy access to Daytona International Speedway, Port Canaveral and all Orlando attractions. 

Titusville is a convenient destination with four international airports nearby. Titusville is the best place on the east coast for viewing rocket launches. Other activities include surfing, kite boarding, bird watching, year-round golf, skydiving, world class fresh and saltwater fishing, along with thrilling airboat rides. 

In Titusville, you will find accommodations for every budget, a full range of dining options, including plenty of opportunities to taste the local delicacy known as rock shrimp, a nostalgic downtown filled with quirky shops, and rich, unspoiled natural landscapes that beckon explorers of all ages.

 Mims is an old citrus service village located in the north end of Brevard County north of Titusville . It was named after an early settler named Casper Neil Mims who came to the area in 1876. He opened the first dry goods and grocery store in the community. The town began to grow when the railroad came to town in 1885. 

Top Reasons to Live in Mims:

Tucked away at the northern end of Brevard County, the town of Mims is unfamiliar to many, but that does not diminish its charm. Mims boasts an iconic small town feel bolstered by a healthy measure of tried-and-true Americana. Such places are a rare find these days.

In Mims, sprawling properties intersperse with orange groves, family farms and fields dotted with horses, cows, chickens and goats. Scenic views of Florida’s handsome landscape pervade the town and create an incredibly serene ambience that is hard to find and tough to replicate. 

Mims, Florida is more than a tiny dot on a map. The town has several endearing qualities and a lot to offer folks who are eager to get away from the hustle and bustle of major metropolitan areas.