Florida's History (1950-Present)
In 1956 a plant of the aerospace/defense company headed by Martin Marietta was established in Orlando. In 1958 McCoy Air Force Base came into existence as a result of the renaming of Pine Castle AAF.
Orlando is close enough to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Patrick Air Force Base, and Kennedy Space Center to attract residents who work for these organizations. It also attracts tourists through easy access to cruise ship terminal Port Canaveral. The air force base and the Kennedy Space Center attract high tech companies to the Orlando area, boosting the economy.
Though all of this is important to Orlando’s economy, its biggest asset came in 1965 in the form of Walt Disney World. The building of the theme park brought in masses of people led to an economy centered around tourism.
As an extension into the tourism business Orlando International Airport was built in 1970 on McCoy Air Force Base. Starting in 1970 four airlines began providing scheduled flights, and in 1974 the air base closed and most of it became part of the airport. Orlando International Airport is currently one of the most heavily travelled airports in the world and caters to businessmen and tourists alike.
Thanks to Disney World, Orlando has nationwide recognition and represents a beacon of relaxation and fun to many people.