Though the centuries have passed, fashions have changed, boom times and hard times have come and gone, the remains of past eras remain on Titusville’s landscape—some in fragments, some complete, and some now existing only in memory.

Yet it takes hard work to identify, document, and conserve Titusville’s relics and landmarks. This is the mission of many government agencies, non-profit organizations, and thousands of dedicated volunteers.

Government Agencies

Most of the sites presented on the walking and driving tours described in this booklet have been designated, officially commemorated, or interpreted for the general public by the following governmental agencies.

National Park Service National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the US federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. A property listed in the National Register, or located within a National Register Historic District, may qualify for tax incentives that help defray the costs of preservation. As of 2021, Titusville’s commercial district and five additional structures are listed on the National Register.

Website:  https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm

Phone: (202) 354-2211

Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a Historic Preservation Grants program to help preserve, interpret, and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites. The Division also coordinates the State Historical Markers program. There are 26 State Historical Markers throughout the area of Merritt Island, Titusville, and Mims. Titusville has 475 properties listed on the Division’s master site file, which serves as the state’s inventory of historical and archaeological resources.

Website: https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/

Phone: (850) 245-6300

Brevard County Historical Commission

The Brevard County Historical Commission was established by the Brevard County Commission and given the task of collecting, arranging, recording, and preserving materials connected with the history of the county and carrying out activities that include obtaining narratives of the early pioneers, recording oral histories of Brevard residents, and marking historical locations throughout the county, 12 of which have been erected in the Titusville area, some in collaboration with the Florida Department of State.

Website: https://www.brevardfl.gov/HistoricalCommission/Home

Phone: (321) 633-1794

Titusville Historic Preservation Board

The Titusville Historic Preservation Board is responsible for evaluating nominations of properties for historic designation and reviewing design proposals for all exterior changes to existing sites and structures and new developments within designated districts. The Titusville Planning and Growth Management Department serves as the staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Board, which also undertakes projects such as this booklet and accompanying website and app as well as commissioning the placement of interpretive panels and plaques at historic sites throughout the city.

Website: https://www.titusville.com/549/Historic-Preservation-Board

Phone: (321) 567-3860

Non-Profit Organizations

In addition to these government agencies, a number of non-profit organizations play vital roles in the protection and promotion of Titusville’s history and heritage. All welcome public input, donations, and the assistance of volunteers:

Historical Society of North Brevard

The Historical Society of North Brevard was established 1966 to collect, preserve, record, and display historical artifacts, photographs, and written records of the area extending from Port St. John to the Volusia County Line and from the Atlantic Ocean to the St. Johns River. They operate the free North Brevard Historical Museum at 301 South Washington Ave. in Titusville. The Historical Society maintains an archive of historical documents and images, provides speakers for local groups, and conducts tours of the museum by appointment for groups and individuals. The society and museum warmly welcome the assistance of volunteers in their activities.

Website: https://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/

Phone: (321) 269-3658

North Brevard Heritage Foundation

The North Brevard Heritage Foundation was established in 2005 to promote and facilitate preservation of historically significant structures and sites. The Foundation proposes alternatives to demolition when structures or sites are threatened by neglect and deterioration, code enforcement violations, or new site development. The Foundation promotes increased awareness and participates with members of the general public, businesses, government, and other non-profit organizations in the preservation of historically significant structures and sites in North Brevard County. The Foundation cooperated with Brevard County in the restoration of the Pritchard House, where it conducts tours for individuals and groups.

Website: https://nbbd.com/npr/preservation/

Phone: 321-607-0203

Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Center

The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Center, Museum, and Homesite promotes awareness of the Moores’ unique contributions to the early civil rights movement and conducts lectures and group activities that focus on the value of diversity, inclusion, and racial justice. Located on the property of the original Moore family homesite, the facility houses a museum, a 100-seat conference center, a gift shop, and a small reference library. The featured exhibit at the museum is a timeline of the Civil Rights Movement, from the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, to the Civil Rights Act of July 2, 1964, parallel to the lives and work of Harry and Harriette Moore, who were killed in a still-unsolved bombing of their home in 1951. A reconstruction of their home has been established at the site. Volunteers are welcomed to help with the activities of the center.

Website: https://www.harryharriettemoore.org/

Phone: (321) 264-6595

Titusville's Continuing Rebirth

If there is one theme that can be seen throughout Titusville’s long history, it is the resilience of its residents to adapt under changing conditions and the courage to innovate and explore new frontiers. From the time of the first arrival of human groups during the Ice Age to today’s exciting challenge of satellite technology and interplanetary space exploration, Titusville has maintained its character as a unique gateway to nature and space.

The historical tours presented in this website and mobile app and accompanying booklet are intended to spread awareness of the richness of Titusville’s archaeological and historical resources and the countless lessons they offer for residents and visitors today—and for generations to come.

Titusville’s history is by no means a finished story. New chapters with new meanings are constantly added as archaeologists make new discoveries throughout the city and its vicinity, archival documents and vintage photographs are identified and studied, and present challenges are met and new opportunities for the city’s development are revealed.

Behind us lie 12,000 years of human occupation between the Indian and St. Johns Rivers. Ahead of us lie new horizons of achievement. Titusville’s past, present, and future are a continuum of family life, shared tradition, and collective creativity worth commemorating and reflecting upon as we explore the city’s historical landscape.

Whether we are longtime residents, newcomers, or visitors, we all, in our own ways, contribute to Titusville’s history. And despite all the centuries that have passed and the countless people who have left their distinctive marks on the city’s landscape, it is in many ways a story that has just begun.