Lorida, Florida

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Lorida, Florida

|settlement_type = Unincorporated community

|nickname =

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|pushpin_map = Florida#USA

|pushpin_label = Lorida

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = 20px United States

|subdivision_type1 = State

|subdivision_name1 = 20px Florida

|subdivision_type2 = County

|subdivision_name2 = Highlands

|coordinates = {{coord|27|26|36|N|81|15|13|W|type:city_region:US-FL_source:GNIS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}

|timezone = Eastern (EST)

|utc_offset = -5

|timezone_DST = EDT

|utc_offset_DST = -4

|postal_code_type = ZIP code

|postal_code = 33857

|area_code = 863

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Lorida ({{IPAc-en|l|ɒ|r|ˈ|iː|d|ə|}} {{respell|lor|EE|duh}}{{cite web | url=https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/highlands_sun/the-naming-of-lorida/article_200dbe46-0c29-11ec-8158-cb565fe8e6b3.html | title=The Naming of Lorida | publisher=Highlands Sun | accessdate=18 June 2024}}) 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.{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KNFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hQcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6893%2C6384249 | title=Take a ride on weird side of Florida | work=Ocala Star-Banner | date=May 12, 1996 | accessdate=7 June 2015 | author=Morgan, Philip | pages=4B}} Lorida, Florida has been noted for its unusual place name.{{cite web | url=https://www.theactivetimes.com/travel/oddest-named-town-every-state | title=The Oddest Named Town in Every State | publisher=The Active Times | date=April 19, 2018 | accessdate=3 July 2019}}

A post office was established under the name Istokpoga in 1924, and the name was changed to Lorida in 1937.{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=FL&county=Highlands | title=Highlands County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | accessdate=7 June 2015}}

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.{{Cite web |last=leviathan |date=2020-02-18 |title=Strangest Town Names in Florida |url=https://www.floridatravellife.com/story/florida-spotlight/strangest-town-names-in-florida/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Florida Travel + Life |language=en-US}}

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

Category:Unincorporated communities in Highlands County, Florida

Category:Unincorporated communities in Florida