Town History Cocoa Florida

Town and History

By Precision Disposal

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Town and History Of Cocoa FL

Gorgeous beaches and sunny days are common in Cocoa, FL. With a population of around 19,000 people, Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to live or visit. Cocoa is part of Brevard County, located on the east coast of Florida, and is known for its history, beaches, and weather. For those who want to spend their days relaxing on the beach or taking advantage of everything Florida has to offer, Cocoa is the perfect location.

History of Cocoa

There aren’t records of how Cocoa was named, but there are some long-standing theories. In one, the mail was delivered by a riverboat and placed in a box that had “Baker’s Cocoa” on it. Another says that there was a hotel near the Indian River lagoon that was named the Cocoa House, which then led to the town being named Cocoa. In yet another, there was an elderly woman who lived on the Indian River and who would offer hot cocoa to the sailors going by.

The city has a long history dating back to the 1800s. The first hardware store opened in 1885, and it’s still open today. A fire destroyed much of the business district in 1890, but the city was rebuilt and chartered in 1895. During this time, there was a freeze that destroyed the citrus growing in the area, causing many people to leave in search of work. As of 1903, the population in Cocoa was less than 400.

By the 1910s, however, the city began to grow. By 1925, the population was around 1,800, and by 1930, it had grown to around 2,200. From there, the city continued to grow, reaching more than 12,000 people by 1960. The area started to become a tourist attraction, as people would visit to see the space shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral. Today, the city is still a favored location for watching shuttle launches.

Cocoa Demographics

Cocoa is a city of around 13.3 square miles of land and 2.1 square miles of water. It’s located in Brevard County, Florida, and is known for the birds that visit every year. In fact, since 1900, there has been an annual counting of bird species visiting the city, with some years having as many as 150 species counted.

Cocoa has 17 public schools and numerous preschool and private options. In 2023, there were over 8,700 students in public schools in Cocoa and under 800 in private schools. More than 92% of students are enrolled in public schools. Cocoa is part of the Brevard School District, which has 118 schools and around 73,000 students.

What to See and Do

Of course, those visiting Cocoa FL will want to take time to spend at the beaches enjoying the sun and water. However, the beaches aren’t the only attractions in or near Cocoa.

Historic Cocoa Village

Downtown is a waterfront district known as the Historic Cocoa Village. The main street includes historical restaurants, entertainment, and plenty of shopping options. During the day, visitors and residents can take a self-guided walking tour, and at night, it’s possible to enjoy live music or other entertainment while sipping on a drink from local breweries, wineries, or bars. There are tons of events happening on the main street, so it’s recommended to check the city’s website to see what’s coming up soon.

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science

The museum features many displays covering the history of Cocoa and Florida. It has pond burials from more than 7,000 years ago, artifacts from the original inhabitants of Cocoa from 12,000 years ago, a shell collection, and an exhibit of local habitats. The collections rotate, so there’s always something new to see.

Airboat Tours

The St. Johns River is known for alligators, birds, and other wildlife living in Florida. To see it all, take an airboat tour. Custom-built airboats are used to cruise along the river, making stops for photos and to see the animals that call the river their home. Most tours take around 90 minutes and they’re a great way to see parts of Florida that are only accessible by boats.

Other Local Tours

There are many local tours that can make for a fantastic day out and about. Kayaking tours take residents and visitors down the river, providing a close-up glimpse of the local wildlife and plants. Bike tours offer a unique way to get to see and enjoy the city. There is also a riverboat tour, providing the opportunity to slowly enjoy a ride down the river on a historic riverboat. Plenty of activities are family-friendly, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Local Parks

Cocoa is home to several parks that are the perfect place to spend the afternoon. Resident favorites include Cocoa Riverfront Park, Sidney Fisher Park, and Taylor Park. Spend some time playing on playgrounds, watching the sailboats, or having fun in the splash pad.

Kennedy Space Center

While Kennedy Space Center isn’t located in Cocoa, it is nearby. Residents and visitors can tour Kennedy Space Center, enjoying the opportunity to learn more about NASA, the space shuttles, and more. Kennedy Space Center does launch shuttles regularly, and it’s possible to watch the launch from Cocoa.

This is a popular place to watch the launches because it’s close enough to see them well, but far enough away that there isn’t as much traffic as there is right near Kennedy.

Check out Kennedy Space Center’s website to view the launch schedule.

Nearby Attractions

Cocoa Florida is located near other major attractions, too. In about an hour and a half, it’s possible to drive to Disney World or Universal Studios. Orlando is around an hour away, and the historic city of St. Augustine is around two hours north of Cocoa.

Skip the highways and drive down A1A to get to St Augustine, as this provides ocean views for most of the ride.

Cocoa is also close to Daytona, home of the Daytona 500.

Watch a race at the Daytona International Speedway or check out the boardwalk for an afternoon of fun.

Renting a Dumpster in Cocoa

Those moving to Cocoa are going to have the chance to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Whether someone is moving to or from a location, they may want to downsize or get rid of things they just don’t want to move. If you need a dumpster you can contact Dumpster Rental in Cocoa FL.

A Dumpster rental is a perfect way to do this, as it makes it easy for anyone to get rid of the things they no longer need.

Someone who is ready to clean out their home or preparing for a move will want to consider renting a dumpster.

To start, they’ll need to decide what size to rent.

There are various options, depending on how much will be thrown away, and the Dumpster Company they work with can help with this decision.

The homeowner will need to pick a date to have the dumpster delivered. The Local Dumpster Service will drop off the dumpster on time, and the homeowner can fill it. When it’s full, it can be picked up and emptied.

If you’re planning to move or you’re ready to clear out your house in Cocoa, Precision Disposal is ready to help.

They’re the best locally-ranked company, locally and family-owned, and can help you with the dumpster rental to ensure you have exactly what you need.

Call today to learn more or to schedule your dumpster rental.