Brevard County’s history stretches back much further than its official founding in 1855. Long before European arrival, Native American cultures thrived there for thousands of years, with evidence found at the Windover Archaeological Site. Spanish explorers left their mark in the 16th century, naming Cape Canaveral.

The 19th century saw the county established and renamed after Theodore Washington Brevard. Early on, the economy relied on fishing, citrus, and tourism. A turning point came in 1940 with the establishment of Naval Air Station Banana River (now Patrick Air Force Base), which spurred significant growth and marked Brevard’s shift towards its modern identity as a center for aerospace and technology.