Palm Bay, Florida

Palm Bay, Florida is located in Brevard County and is the largest city in the county. It is attached to the city of Melbourne and together the attached total population is around 92,000 residents.

Historic Palm Bay, Florida

Before settlers came to Florida, Palm Bay was settled by the Timucuan Indians, who were attracted to the area around Turkey Creek at the Indian River. The fresh water springs, wildlife, oysters and fish were the major reasons for their settlement. Many anthropologists believe that the Timucuan Indians were among the first ever to settle in Florida.

The first white settlers started to settle in Palm Bay in 1850 when the city was just the little town of Tillman. Tillman became a leader in the area in the lumbering business, the pack houses, and the orange business. Orange groves dominated the area. But, real economic growth wasn’t established until 1894 and the coming of the railroad. More goods were shipped to the Palm Bay area and the local merchants could ship their items faster.

Around 1910, the Tillman area became the center for the Indian River Catholic Colony, a major Catholic land organization that encouraged farmers to produce two crops a year. Within several years, farmers depleted the soil of vital nutrients and the colony failed. Those that stayed built St. Joseph’s Church, which is still the oldest building in the city today.

Modern Palm Bay, Florida

Tillman wasn’t renamed Palm Bay until the 1920’s when a group of Tillman businessmen decided it needed a more exotic name. They chose Palm Bay because the town was located next to a palm grove that lived next to the bay on the Indian River.

Population continued to surge, especially after the formation of the National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. Space-age related industry came pouring into Brevard County boosting the economy of Palm Bay. Companies like Radiation, Inc. helped to make the city what it is today. Now, Harris Company owns Radiation, Inc. and is still the city’s leading employer.

Now, Palm Bay is home to more parks than almost any other city in the state of Florida. There is a park for every occasion. Hurricane Paintball Park is the perfect place to take part in paintball if you’re an enthusiast. There is also an outdoor roller rink located in Liberty Park. Both rollerblades and traditional skates are welcome and you don’t have to worry about skateboards, they’re not allowed. Skateboarders can go to the Skate Park called Graffiti Skate Zone to have some fun. And of course, there are traditional parks with tennis courts, playgrounds, and all the relaxation you could ever want.

Overall, Palm Bay is a great place to live if you love the beach, love the outdoors, and love the space program. It is also very close to the Florida Institute of Technology, a great technological school known for its flight program, and the Melbourne International Airport. If you’re an aviation enthusiast you can always support FIT’s Falcons Flight Team. Oh, and don’t forget the beach. You’re just 5 minutes away from great beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.