Project Gemini was NASA's second human spaceflight program, bridging the gap between Project…read moreMercury and the Apollo Moon landings. Operating from 1961 to 1966, the program completed ten crewed missions that developed and perfected the essential spaceflight techniques needed to send astronauts to the Moon. While Project Mercury proved that a single astronaut could survive and work in space, Gemini expanded those capabilities by flying two astronauts together on each mission. The program's primary objective was to teach astronauts how to maneuver their spacecraft in orbit, rendezvous and dock with another vehicle, conduct spacewalks, and safely return to a precise landing location. Just as importantly, the missions prepared crews to respond to emergencies. One of the most dramatic examples occurred during Gemini VIII, when Neil Armstrong and David Scott successfully recovered their spacecraft after it went into a violent, uncontrolled spin that nearly caused them to lose consciousness. Throughout the program, NASA achieved a remarkable series of milestones. Astronauts completed the first American spacewalks, remained in orbit for up to two weeks, perfected orbital rendezvous and docking with Agena target vehicles, and demonstrated the precision reentry and recovery techniques that would become essential for future lunar missions. These accomplishments, technologies, operational procedures, and astronaut skills ultimately made the Apollo Moon landings possible. The Gemini monument is located in Space View Park as part of the U.S. Space Walk of Fame. Located on a narrow protected strip of land between the Indian River and a nearby condominium complex, it honors the extraordinary achievements of Project Gemini and the astronauts, engineers, technicians, and countless support personnel who made the program a success. Groundbreaking for the monument took place on July 16, 1999, at exactly 9:32 a.m., precisely 30 years after the launch of Apollo 11. Designed by Parker R. Shannon of Atlantic Design Company, with William B. Shapbell serving as lead engineer, the monument features two Roman numeral II shaped granite pedestals displaying the bronze handprints and sculpted likenesses of the sixteen Gemini astronauts who flew the program's ten missions in 1965 and 1966. It was thrill to visit this monument in person and lay my hands over the brass handprints of the astronauts. The Gemini Monument pays tribute to one of NASA's most important but often overlooked chapters. The lessons learned during Project Gemini set the stage for the Apollo Moon landings.

In 1997, this twelve foot tall monument was constructed at the end of Space View Park on the Indian…read moreRiver next to the Harbor Pointe high rise condo. In the park, there is a large bronze placard explaining the Space Walk of Fame Project Gemini. The stainless steel structure is dedicated to the astronauts on the NASA Gemini project. The monument is only a walkable landmark since close parking is extremely limited.

I found the Bicentennial Memorial during the celebration for America's 250th birthday celebration…read more It seemed fitting to discover a monument dedicated to the nation's 200th anniversary exactly fifty years later. The Bicentennial Memorial in Cocoa Beach was erected by Brevard County and dedicated on July 20, 1976, as part of the nationwide celebration marking 200 years of American independence. Bearing the inspirational phrase, "With inner faith to outer space," the monument reflects both the nation's heritage and the Space Coast's extraordinary contribution to America's journey beyond Earth. Located just minutes from Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach was home to many astronauts during the height of the space race. For that reason Brevard County's Bicentennial monument celebrates not only the nation's founding but also the region's role in one of America's greatest achievements. Facing the roadway, the monument features the Great Seal of the United States and a heartfelt dedication honoring the men, women, and children of Brevard County who generously gave their time and financial support to commemorate the Bicentennial. Their names were inscribed on parchment and placed beneath the monument as a lasting tribute to their community spirit. On the park-facing side, Bicentennial logo is accompanied by an engraved Apollo moon landing scene. The artwork depicts a lunar module, an astronaut, the American flag, and a Lunar Roving Vehicle, the electric rover used during Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17 to explore greater distances across the Moon's surface. The monument also pays tribute to NASA's original Mercury Seven astronauts: M. Scott Carpenter L. Gordon Cooper Jr. John Glenn Virgil "Gus" Grissom Walter M. Schirra Jr. Alan B. Shepard Jr. Donald K. Slayton Although mot very large, the memorial captures the patriotism of the Bicentennial era and the pride Brevard County felt in its community and its connection to the American space program. It serves as a reminder that while the nation was remembering 200 years of history, the Space Coast was also looking to the future of space travel.

This is one of the military memorials in Cocoa Riverfront Park. Emory Lawrence Bennett stands near…read morefellow Medal of Honor honoree Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris. I have an interest in military history and it was interesting to learn more about both men. Bennett was born on December 20, 1929 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He moved to Cocoa in 1937 where his family ran the Bennett Fish Market. His older brothers fought in WWII and he enlisted in the army on July 25, 1950. In Fenruary 1951 Bennett was sent to Korea where he served with first class with Company B of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. In the early morning hours of June 24, 1951, his company took a hill near Sobangsan from the Chinese. The next day 1.500 troops swarmed up the ridgeline in a ferocious human wave, known as a banzai charge, to take back the hill. Bennett's company only had 200 soldiers. He left his foxhole and stood exposed to hostile fire as he attempted to repel the enemy. Even though he was injured he maintained the position long enough to momentarily halt the enemy advance and allow Company B to regroup. Bennett voluntarily stayed behind to provide covering fire while the rest of his unit withdrew. During his companies retreat he was mortally wounded. When he was last seen he had 50 of the enemy piled around him. His body arrived home to Florida on November 23, 1951 and he is interred at Pinecrest Cemetery in Cocoa, Florida. For his heroic actions during the battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on February 1, 1952. Nine other fallen soldiers were also awarded the nation's highest honor for valor that day. A portion of his citation reads "Although wounded, Pfc. Bennett gallantly maintained his one-man defense and the attack was momentarily halted. During this lull in battle, the company regrouped for counterattack, but the numerically superior foe soon infiltrated into the position. Upon orders to move back, Pfc. Bennett voluntarily remained to provide covering fire for the withdrawing elements, and, defying the enemy, continued to sweep the charging foe with devastating fire until mortally wounded. His willing self-sacrifice and intrepid actions saved the position from being overrun and enabled the company to effect an orderly withdrawal. Pfc Bennett's unflinching courage and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and the military service." In addition to this monument in Cocoa Riverside Park, in 1993, a veterans' nursing home in Daytona Beach, Florida, was built and named in his honor and the Bennett Causeway in Brevard County was also named for him. On Merritt Island, a wing at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center is dedicated in his honor. Cocoa Florida will never forget the sacrifice made by Emory Lawrence Bennett.

This is one of the military memorials in Cocoa Riverfront Park. It honors Melvin Morris who was…read moreborn on January 7, 1942. I have an interest in military history and the story of this soldier is a fascinating one. Morris is an African-American United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War, a Special Forces soldier, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. He retired from the US Army with the rank of Sergeant First Class. In December 1990, Morris and his family became residents of Brevard County. Melvin Morris began his military career in 1959 when he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard followed by active duty in the United States Army. In 1961 he was one of the first US Army soldiers to qualify as a Green Beret at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He volunteered for two tours in South Vietnam. Morris received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on September 17, 1969, while commanding the Third Company, Third Battalion of the IV Mobile Strike Force near Chi Lăng, South Vietnam. He led an advance across enemy lines to recover the body of a fallen sergeant. After two members from his unit were injured he escorted them to safety and then returned to charge the enemy. Using a bag of grenades he was able to single handedly neutralize the enemy threat that was pinning down his battalion. During this engagement he was shot three times. He received the Distinguished Service Cross in April 1970 for extraordinary heroism during this 1969 battle. Morris received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 ceremony at the White House. The award came after the Defense Authorization Act, which called for a congressionally-mandated review of veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War who may have been eligible for the Medal of Honor but were overlooked due to their race or religion. At the Medal of Honor Ceremony it was stated "Staff Sergeant Morris' extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

The historic Pritchard House stands adjacent to the Titusville Welcome Center. On front of it a…read moreblue historical marker commemorates its significance. The marker is part of Florida's Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most recognizable public history initiatives. These markers honor important people, places, and events throughout the state and can be found at archaeological sites, battlefields, historic districts, schools, churches, cemeteries, and notable buildings such as this one. Historical Marker F-558 was erected in 2005 by the Brevard County Historical Commission and the Florida Department of State. Captain James Pritchard, a Confederate soldier who served in the Army of Missouri during the Civil War, purchased this property from Mary Titus in 1891. Mary and her husband, Colonel Henry Titus, are credited with giving Titusville its name. Pritchard hired Pleasant J. Hall, the builder of nearby St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, to construct this elegant Queen Anne-style home from durable heart pine. Captain Pritchard, his wife Mary, his mother-in-law Frances Delespine Boye, and his children, Boud and Kate, were the home's first residents. After Captain Pritchard's death in 1926, he was laid to rest in Oaklawn Cemetery. His son Boud and Boud's wife, Lola Pauline Smith, affectionately known as "Miss Lovie" continued to live in the home for many years. Today, the Pritchard House looks remarkably similar to how it appeared when it was first built. The first floor features an entrance hall, staircase, a formal parlor, and a dining room. Originally, the kitchen was separated from the main living area by an open passageway that has since been enclosed with a side entrance. A narrow staircase leads from the kitchen to the former maid's room above. The second floor contains four bedrooms with built-in closets, although only the master bedroom has access to the balcony. The passage connecting the main house to the maid's room was later converted into a bathroom, where water was supplied from a cistern below through a hand pump. Many original features remain intact, including the four fireplaces with their tiled hearths and the beautiful entrance hall light fixture. After arriving in Florida, Captain Pritchard initially grew sugarcane and citrus before turning his attention to real estate and business. He organized Titusville's first bank in 1888 and served as its president. In 1890, he built the city's first electric generating plant, which was later sold to Florida Power & Light. He also owned the James Pritchard and Son Hardware Store, making him one of Titusville's most influential early businessmen. The Pritchard House was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on January 12, 1990. Captain Pritchard's granddaughter, Mary Pritchard, continued living in the home until Brevard County purchased the property in May 2005 with the stipulation that it be restored in its original location and be used as a Living History House Museum otherwise it would be returned to the Pritchard family. Tours are by appointment only and the house can be rented for private events like weddings. Several events open to the public take place throughout the year. Queen Anne architecture has always been my favorite residential style. I love how it evokes a Gingerbread house with its intricate details, asymmetrical design, and elegance. Seeing the beautifully preserved Pritchard House in person was a highlight of my visit to historic Titusville.

This is a single stage lock. You can see how locks work close up. There is seating and picnic…read moretables for your use. You can see boats pass thru and many times dolphins go thru also. The best part about this area is the unobstructed view of the Space center launch site. We have watched one from the causeway and Jetty Park and this is the best. I believe this is an unknown site due to its location but it's easy to get to. Take binoculars but you can see without. On the 1/30/18 launch there were probably eight cars in the lot. It's 5.5 miles from the launch pad.

The Clifton School House was built around 1890-1891 by Butler Campbell and Andrew Jackson, black…read moreland owners who homesteaded on north Merritt Island. A nearby neighbor by the name of Wade Holmes provided a one- acre lot as the building site, which was located in the north west corner of his property adjacent to the Campbell's. Prior to building the school house, the Campbell and Jackson children attended school in the home of a black man by the name of Mahaffey who lived nearby. They bought the lumber and building materials in Titusville and had them shipped by sailboat to north Merritt Island. Together, and with the help of Wade Holmes, they built a 12 x 16 wooden structure of heart pine lumber. Two sets of glass-paned windows were placed opposite each other on the north and south sides of the building. The front of the school house faced west which was fitted with a double paneled door, and the roof was made of cedar or cypress boards. The entire structure rested on wood pilings about one foot off the ground. By 1910 most of the Campbell and Jackson children were of the age to be out of school or attending a school in Titusville that offered a higher education, and the little wooden structure no longer was used as a school house. When the Government took over all of North Merritt Island in the 1960's the families had to relocate to other areas. Most of the structures were demolished or disassembled board by board until there was little visible evidence that any inhabitants had lived in that area. Somehow the old Clifton Schoolhouse was overlooked, or maybe thought not to be of any value, and would eventually fall to the elements of weather and time soon enough. Sometime in the late 1960's or 1970's, someone discovered the old wooden structure still standing under a heavy growth of vines, and after investigation of the site, found an old trunk inside, filled with old letters, post cards, receipts, greeting cards and other personnel items belonging to the Campbell family. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO RESTORE SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT!

This pedestrian bridge is about 100 feet long hovering above Garden Street in West Titusville…read moreallowing safe passage across the busy intersection. There are businesses on both sides including Titusville Bait & Tackle and Dr Dan's RC Shop. The steel truss style bridge is completely enclosed with top fencing and high rails to prevent falls. Drove under the bridge as people walked over.