Lorida, Florida
Lorida, Florida | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 27°26′36″N 81°15′13″W / 27.44333°N 81.25361°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
County | Highlands |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 33857 |
Area code | 863 |
Lorida is an unincorporated community in eastern Highlands County, Florida, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 98 between the cities of Sebring and Okeechobee.
In addition to some light industry located along U.S. 98 corridor, Lorida and the surrounding area contains numerous fish camps and lodges on the north and east shore of Lake Istokpoga.
History
Lorida was first named Istokpoga, a Seminole name, but it was afterwards changed because the U.S. postal authorities refused to accept that name, there being another post office in the state with a similar name. It was then named after an abbreviated form of Florida.[1] Lorida, Florida has been noted for its unusual place name.[2]
A post office was established under the name Istokpoga in 1924, and the name was changed to Lorida in 1937.[3]
From time to time, the region has been rumored – with little evidence and more than a dab of joksterism – to be the future home of a “Six Flags over Lorida” theme park.[4]
References
- ^ Morgan, Philip (May 12, 1996). "Take a ride on weird side of Florida". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 4B. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "The Oddest Named Town in Every State". The Active Times. April 19, 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ "Highlands County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ leviathan (2020-02-18). "Strangest Town Names in Florida". Florida Travel + Life. Retrieved 2022-08-19.