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Cocoa - Florida - History |
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In 1925, the Cocoa Tribune published
several accounts, supplied by readers, of the town's naming. A Mrs. Ruby Myers credited Captain R. C. May with the choosing of the name Cocoa at
a town meeting in 1884. Those attending the meeting focused on a local product or characteristic feature of the area; e.g., citrus plants and
Cedar Key. It was stated that at Captain May's suggestion, the group finally chose for its association with the Cocoa plant. The name was
forwarded to Washington, D.C. where it was officially adopted.
Another version suggests that while a
group
Incorporated in 1895, Cocoa has
continued to develop and mature despite serious setbacks early in its history. In 1890, Cocoa's business district was destroyed by fire.
However, in the early 1890's significant development began to occur with the extension of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Indian River
Railway to Cocoa. The new rail connection served as a catalyst for the growth of the economy and population of the town. By 1895, Cocoa was a
maturing community. Cocoa suffered a second severe economic setback in the winter of 1894-1895 when the "Great Freeze" destroyed the
citrus crop and forced many individuals involved in the citrus industry to seek new occupations according to one source, by 1903, the population
of Cocoa had dropped to 382.
During the second decade of the of the
twentieth century, population growth and economic development in Cocoa accelerated. The state business directory of 1911-1912 set the population
at 550. By 1925, the population was estimated at 1,800. During the Great Depression, starting in 1929, the local economy declined and the two
local banks failed. Still, according to one source, the population rose to 2,200 by 1930. The population rose dramatically following the
development of the Space Industry. |
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The city was founded by fishermen very
early in Florida's history. An authentic, historical account states that the first families arrived in Cocoa around 1860. A post office was
established at Magnolia Point two miles north and the first commercial building in Cocoa was erected in 1881 or 1882. First plats of the new
settlement were made in 1882 under the name "Indian River City" on land owned by Captain R. A. Hardee. The name Indian River City was
unacceptable to the U.S. Postal authorities who claimed it was too long for use on a postmark.
of citizens were seeking a name for the town, an old woman received inspiration from a box of Baker's Cocoa and her suggestion was
adopted. Still another version suggests that along the bank of the Indian River lived an old woman who would supply hot cocoa to the sailors as
they traversed the Indian River. As they passed, they would call out "cocoa, cocoa" until the woman supplied them with refreshment.
Whatever its origin, by 1884 the name Cocoa had become permanently associated with what was then an infant settlement.
