Melbourne, Florida is located in Brevard County and is part of the Space Coast of Florida. The population of Melbourne is estimated to be over 77,000 residents. The city of Melbourne was named after Cornthwaite John Hector, who was the city's first postmaster and prior to living in Melbourne spent most of his life in Melbourne, Austraillia.
Melbourne originally was an area where the South trained Confederate soldiers for the American Civil War. The city was founded in the late 1860's by pioneers and former slaves. In 1883 the first school was built in the city which has now become an exhibit on Florida Tech's campus.
The Naval Air Station Melbourne opened in 1942 to train Marine and Navy pilots for World War II. The Naval Air Station was used until 1946 and now the remnants of the base are used as part of the Melbourne International Airport.
Near the center of the city Melbourne is the Melbourne International Airport. The airport encourages travel to the Space Coast and its surrounding cities. Melbourne has developed a tourism industry based on its access to the beach and close proximity to Orlando.
Melbourne is home to the Florida Institute of Technology and a collection of satellite campuses for the University of Central Florida, Florida State University and Brevard Community College.
The city is the home of former MLB player Cecil fielder and birthplace of the Boston Red Sox knuckle-ball thrower Tim Wakefield. Melbourne is also the birth place of NFL Jacksonville Jaguars star Reggie Nelson.
Check out the yellowpages of Florida for local businesses located in other cities. The ChamberofCommerce.com connects you with the local business products and services you may be looking for.