Located on the "Space Coast", the city of Melbourne started to grow during the advent of space travel in the 1950s when NASA arrived in the area. It is relatively close to Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Titusville and Cape Canaveral and has its own popular Melbourne Beach. Chief pursuits here are surfing, boating and fishing. The Indian River Lagoon parallels the ocean for 160 miles and is home to 4000 animals, including the Florida manatee. The arts feature prominently here and the Henegar Center for the Arts, housed in one of the oldest restored public buildings in the county, is a Broadway-style, 500-seat theater. Melbourne Civic Center produces 60 drama and musical events annually that are performed in the Henegar Center. Downtown, there are numerous opportunities for shopping, especially in the historic Eau Gallie area where there are speciality shops, art and antique stores and restaurants. Melbourne Square Mall has over 105 stores from which to choose.