WWII & Florida

According to Florida Historical Society’s Dr. Ben Brotemarkle, as World War II began in 1939, the population of Florida was less than two million people. The population of the state grew exponentially each decade after World War II, and military installations constructed during that conflict were a major factor in that growth. World War II provided Florida with unprecedented economic growth and revived areas that had been crippled during the Great Depression. Defense contracts led to construction jobs, and then other civilian employment opportunities after military facilities were built. Rural landowners often benefited financially from the construction of military installations through government purchase of their property. On April 11, 2020 in Melbourne, FL, Florida Historical Society Director, Dr. Ben Brotemarkle, discusses the changes in Florida as a result of WWII. Dr. Brotemarkle’s also the host of the weekly public radio program “Florida Frontiers,” broadcast locally on 90.7 WMFE and 89.5 WFIT. The public television series “Florida Frontiers” can be seen locally on WUCF-TV.Follow up on this program by reading Lions Paw by Robb White and joining the discussion on April 18. This event is funded by a Florida Humanities Community Project Grant, in partnership with the Friends of the Eau Gallie Public Library.