Merritt Island is an area located on Florida’s largest island, which it shares its name with. This island is situated on the eastern Floridian coast and is home to a rich history spanning several centuries. The history of Merritt Island is a reflection of both American progress and Florida’s unique past. Prehistoric Times Like much of the Florida region, Merritt Island was initially inhabited by Native American tribes. Evidence of their settlement dates back several thousand years. The tribes known to have inhabited this region were the Ais, or Ays, a tribe of Native Americans living in central coastal Florida, stretching from the St. Johns river to the Florida Keys.…