Cemetery A Day In May: Pinecrest Cemetery, Cocoa

Cemetery Log Date: May 23, 2014

Home of the brave...


Pinecrest Cemetery in Cocoa, Florida is one of the relatively "younger" historic cemeteries for the Space Coast area, being formally laid out in 1929.  Originally the cemetery would have been at the outskirts of Cocoa, then a tiny fishing village that also catered to shipping barges as a refueling point along the Indian River.  With the coming of NASA the tiny town boomed over night.  Pinecrest was one of the cemeteries that catered to the families who had long roots in the area, many of them responsible for the early growth and development of industry in the area.  Names that adorn buildings or street signs can be found on the mausoleums here in this cemetery of about 600.  One notable interment is that of Emory L. Bennett (1929-1951) who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War.  Bennett is buried alongside his extensive family, many of whom were also service members.  





Who:  Managed by Pinecrest Cemetery Association.
What:  Early 20th century town cemetery.
Where:  815 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL, 32922
When:  Dawn to dusk.
Why:
  • Plenty of historic mausoleums of differing design.
  • Early 20th century iconography, especially fraternal organizations.
  • Resting place of many veterans, including a Medal of Honor recipient.
Emory L. Bennett statue in Riverside Park, Cocoa

For more information:

Text and images:  Kevin Gidusko
except statue image of Bennett from Wikipedia


For previous posts search: Cemetery a Day in May or #CaDiM

2014 #CaDiM posts

2013 #CaDiM posts
Intro, May 1: National, May 2: Oakdale, May 3: Murphy's Creek, May 4: Mt. Olive, May 5: Bosque Bello, May 6: Old City, May 7: Espanola, May 8: Tolomato, May 9: Pacetti, May 10: West View, May 11: Magnolia Springs,  May 12: St. Peter's, May 13: Gravely Hill, May 14: Pilgrim's Rest, May 15: God's Little Acre, May 16: Dummet's Grave, May 17: No Name, May 18: St. Monica, May 19: St. Joseph's, May 20:  Old St. Joseph's (Duval), May 21: Sampson, May 22: Fernandez Reserve, May 23: St. Ambrose, May 24: Sons of Israel, May 25: Sanksville, May 26: Huguenot, May 27: Nombre de Dios, May 28: Beresford, May 29: Jones, May 30: San Sebastian/Pinehurst, May 31: Oaklynn