Lorida, Florida Explained

Official Name:Lorida, Florida
Settlement Type:Unincorporated community
Pushpin Map:Florida#USA
Pushpin Label:Lorida
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1: Florida
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Highlands
Coordinates:27.4433°N -81.2536°W
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:33857
Area Code:863

Lorida ([1]) 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.[2] Lorida, Florida has been noted for its unusual place name.[3]

A post office was established under the name Istokpoga in 1924, and the name was changed to Lorida in 1937.[4]

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.[5]

Notable natives and residents

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Naming of Lorida . Highlands Sun . 18 June 2024.
  2. News: Take a ride on weird side of Florida . Ocala Star-Banner . May 12, 1996 . 7 June 2015 . Morgan, Philip . 4B.
  3. Web site: The Oddest Named Town in Every State . The Active Times . April 19, 2018 . 3 July 2019.
  4. Web site: Highlands County . Jim Forte Postal History . 7 June 2015.
  5. Web site: leviathan . 2020-02-18 . Strangest Town Names in Florida . 2022-08-19 . Florida Travel + Life . en-US.