Lorida, Florida
Unincorporated community
Lorida is located in Florida
Lorida
Lorida
Lorida is located in the United States
Lorida
Lorida
Coordinates: 27°26′36″N 81°15′13″W / 27.44333°N 81.25361°W / 27.44333; -81.25361
Country United States
State Florida
CountyHighlands
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
33857
Area code863

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]

Notable natives and residents

  • Ann Davison, first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by herself. During her final years, she resided in a ranch in Lorida where she raised exotic cats with her husband.

References

  1. ↑ Morgan, Philip (May 12, 1996). "Take a ride on weird side of Florida". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 4B. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Oddest Named Town in Every State". The Active Times. April 19, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Highlands County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  4. ↑ leviathan (February 18, 2020). "Strangest Town Names in Florida". Florida Travel + Life. Retrieved August 19, 2022.


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