Florida's Space Coast - (Images of America) by Wade Arnold (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Florida's Space Coast and its explosion into the 20th century thrust these beach towns into the modern age and paved the way for America's space exploration.

Florida's Space Coast is an area that got its name from one of the most exciting times in United States history. Settlers were living in Brevard County as far back as the 1800s, and even after World War II, it was still a quiet place to live. Cities and beach towns along 74 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline were thrust into the modern age in the early 1950s, when rockets began lighting up the skies above them. The space race had begun, the nation would set a path to put men on the moon, and Florida would become the backdrop for this thrilling chapter of American history. The area's population surged with over 200,000 new residents, and things would never be the same. It was a time when people risked their lives for space exploration, and a community came together to make it happen.

Review Quotes

Author: Chris Kridler

Publisher: Florida Today

Date: 10/10/09

Wade Arnold has come out with a new collection of charming historical photos, following up "Cocoa Beach Then and Now" with "Florida's Space Coast" (Arcadia Publishing, $21.99), another installment in the Images of America series.

Arnold, whose coverage of social events can be seen in Florida Today, has culled images of local schools, businesses, the beach, everyday life and the space program to capture this portrait of Brevard County as it grew into America's moonport.

In addition, there's a collection of 15 related postcards available for $7.99.

Arnold has a book signing scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Merritt Island Barnes & Noble. Learn more at arcadiapublishing.com.