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Rockledge is not only Brevard's Oldest City, but the oldest resort in the Florida East Coast and was first established in 1837.
It was named Rock Ledge for the ledges of coquina rock formations along the Indian
 River, which now is
also part of the Intracoastal Waterway. The first post office was established in 1876 in a log cabin with Mr. H. W. Williams as the first postmaster. Before the coming of the Flagler Railroad, which had its southernmost
terminal at Rockledge for many years, two large hotels were built to care for local tourists. The largest hotel was the Indian River Hotel with accommodations for 400, and the Plaza Hotel which had rooms for 300
guests. Mail was carried from the area by steamship and delivered to a dock in front of the hotels which is now the site of the Indian River Condominiums and a photograph taken in the 20's of President Harding
aboard the Presidential Yacht at the dock hangs on the wall of the condominiums office. Remains of this dock still stand. Passengers also came to the area by way
of the St. Johns River from Stanford Landing to (Lake) Poinsett Landing. Then traveled by horse at a cost of $0.50 from the Steamer Landing. In 1886 Rockledge had three stores, two hotels, two sawmills, two schools,
and one church. A horse-drawn coach provided hourly service between Cocoa and Rockledge. Historians report that at about the turn of the century, Rockledge boasted four hotels, which was more than the city of
Miami! Henry Flagler desired to develop Rockledge into an even greater "booming" resort area, but Rockledge residents did not share Flagler's dream. They liked
the town the way it was and refused to sell property to the multi-millionaire. Subsequently, Flagler extended the railroad all the way to Key West; establishing Palm Beach in the process and greatly
boosting the Miami tourist trade. Rockledge, however, remained the small town its residents wanted. Agriculture became a staple of the local economy
when the citrus industry began to flourish and produce a part of what is today still known as the world's best and famous "Indian River Citrus". Rockledge grew
slowly and it was not until the 50's, when the missile program came to nearby Cape Canaveral, that Rockledge experienced much of a boom however, moving through the 60's many fine and well-planned subdivisions were
constructed in Rockledge. The boom of the 60's was followed by a recession period in the 70's, which curtailed the soaring prices on many area properties and may well be in part
responsible for seeing that the city's growth did not get out of hand at that time. Today the city's economy is healthy, diversified and growing. It also enjoys steady and stable population growth, not like
the earlier boom days. The Indian River is still a viable waterway and scenic Rockledge Drive, with some of its beautiful nineteenth century homes, has been
declared by the legislature to be a designated "Scenic Drive". Yet Rockledge is not as heavily populated, as are most other coastal areas of Florida. It is a
community with the feeling of a small town but the conveniences of a larger metropolitan area. Rockledge's major asset? It's warm, friendly and hospitable people. Rockledge is an exciting community
in which to raise a family or retire (the Central Florida Regional Planning Council indicated about 16.28% of the population in our district is age 60+) and is inhabited basically by year-round residents,
unlike our coastal neighbors to the south. New families find themselves accepted and soon absorbed into the exciting atmosphere of the area. Our new residents are from many backgrounds, here to enjoy,
among other things, our ideal climate with mostly clear and sunny skies throughout the year. Our nights are cool with almost constant breezes and housing is still in good supply and residences featuring leisure
living are available at most price levels. In 1982, the City Council officially established the Rockledge Centennial Commission to, among other
things, research the history of Rockledge; document pertinent data concerning early settlement, organization and incorporation of the city; plan and carry out an appropriate public observance and
celebration of the city's official 100th birthday sometime in 1987. After the centennial celebration, the commission is expected to become known as the Rockledge Historian Society and will help obtain,
preserve and display artifacts, pictures, relics, documents, memorabilia and other items of historical interest concerning-the City of Rockledge. New members to the group are welcome. |