Copeland, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Copeland, Florida
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 Copeland, Florida
Location in Florida
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  Florida |
| County |  Collier |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
34137
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| GNIS ID | 295218 |
Copeland is a small community in eastern Collier County, Florida, United States. It's found where two roads meet: State Road 29 and Janes Memorial Scenic Drive.
Copeland is located right next to two large natural areas. To the west is the Big Cypress National Preserve. To the east is the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. Other small towns like Jerome and Carnestown are also nearby. Copeland is part of the larger Naples–Marco Island area.
History of Copeland
Copeland was started in 1932. It was named after David Graham Copeland. He was a U.S. Navy engineer. Mr. Copeland helped plan the Tamiami Trail road. He also began a family farming business in this spot.
During World War II, there was a big need for cypress wood. This brought the timber industry to southwest Florida. The Lee Cypress Lumber Company began its work in 1943. They made Copeland a "company town." This meant the company owned most of the homes and businesses.
Over 300 workers and their families lived in Copeland. They were sawyers (people who cut timber), railroad workers, and others. Their homes were built from cypress wood. The community had separate facilities for white and black workers. The town had a store and places for fun. The Lee Cypress Company managed almost everything.
A large railroad station handled the logs. These logs came from the Fakahatchee Strand and other parts of the Big Cypress Swamp. Today, Jane's Scenic Drive follows the path of the old main railroad line. The logs were sent to a huge sawmill in Perry, Florida, which was 400 miles north. You can see the last steam train used for timber at the Collier County Museum in Naples.
Copeland's population became much smaller in the late 1950s. This happened because the timber company finished its work in 1957.
About the Community
In 2006, about 275 people lived in Copeland. This area is also a natural home for the Florida panther.
Did You Know?
Copeland was a filming location for a low-budget horror movie called Blood Stalkers in 1976.
