City of Palm Bay history

Grover Cleveland’s first termThe surplus and the tariffThe public domainThe Interstate Commerce ActThe election of 1888

The Benjamin Harrison administrationThe Sherman Antitrust ActThe silver issueThe McKinley tariffThe agrarian revoltThe PopulistsThe election of 1892

It was renamed Palm Bay in the 1920s.

1925: The 200 residents of Tillman decide their name doesn't accurately depict the charming town and petition to change the name to Palm Bay.

World War IIThe road to warThe United States at warWar productionFinancing the warSocial consequences of the warThe 1944 electionThe new United States role in world affairs

The peak Cold War years, 1945–60The Truman Doctrine and containmentPostwar domestic reorganizationThe Red ScareThe Korean WarPeace, growth, and prosperityEisenhower’s second termDomestic issuesWorld affairsAn assessment of the postwar era

What was once a small agricultural community in the 1950’s has become the largest city in Brevard County with a current population of over 115,000.

The City of Palm Bay was incorporated in 1959 under its current charter.

The city was incorporated in 1960, and its growth was greatly stimulated by the development and spread of the aerospace industries associated with the John F. Kennedy Space Center and United States Air Force installations—all located farther north on Merritt Island.

1966: The city's first school Palm Bay Elementary is built.

1967: Fire Station 1 is built on Palm Bay Road.

1974: The city's first bank and motel are built.

1984: The first city library opens on Port Malabar Boulevard.

Palm Bay Police headquarters operates from a modern facility built in 1990.

1992: Palm Bay Community Hospital opens.

2004: Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne impact the city with $13 million dollars in damage and debris cleanup.

2010: The City of Palm Bay celebrates 50 years.

2014: Harris Corporation opens the $130 million Technology Center on Palm Bay Road.

2016: Palm Bay completes the southern portion of the St Johns Heritage Parkway and announces the building of a new 1-95 interchange in south Palm Bay.