Florida's Space Coast 2008-2009 Official Vacation Planner - (Page 72) A Step Back 1513 • European explorer Ponce de Leon first discovered Cape Canaveral. He initially called the area Corrientes, a Spanish word that described the strong currents he experienced off its coast. 1843 • Cape Canaveral Lighthouse was built to warn mariners of shoals that extend east from the cape. During the Civil War, the lighthouse apparatus was removed and buried in a Banana River orange grove to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Yankees. 1870 • There were approximately 150 people growing pineapples and citrus. Their enthusiastic reports of a healthy climate and good winter weather started a tourist industry. 1894 • The Florida East Coast Railroad reached local communities such as Titusville, Eau Gallie, Rockledge and Cocoa, the area growth exploded. 1916 • Mrs. Porcher’s love of the game of bridge prompted her to have stones cut to represent the suites of cards and placed in front of the house. 1924 • What is now known as the Cocoa Village Playhouse was built as the Aladdin Theater for what then was an astronomical sum of $80,000. It served as a movie house in the 1940s and, according to local lore, is occasionally haunted by a ghost named Joe. 1950 • A small rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral marking the true beginning of the space program. 1953 • Port Canaveral started as a small oil and shrimp port and has developed into the second busiest cruise port in the Western Hemisphere. 1953 • Emory L. Bennett was the only Congressional Medal of Honor winner from Brevard County. His willing sacrifice and actions saved countless soldiers in the heat of the Korean War. A statue of Emory can be found at Riverfront Park in Cocoa. Playh coa Village Co ouse 1969 • The United States made good on their promise by President John F. Kennedy by putting a man on the moon. Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon and said his famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Porcher House 72
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