Hippo, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hippo, Kentucky
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 Hippo, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Hippo, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Floyd |
| Elevation | 745 ft (227 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
41637
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| GNIS feature ID | 508252 |
Hippo is a small place in Floyd County, Kentucky, USA. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
Discovering Hippo, Kentucky
Hippo is a unique community found in the eastern part of Kentucky. It's a quiet area known for its interesting history, especially how it got its unusual name.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place that isn't officially part of a city or town. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's usually governed by the larger county it's located in. People in these communities often share services with nearby towns.
How Hippo Got Its Name
The name "Hippo" has a fun story behind it! The community's post office was set up in 1902. It was named after a local person known as Bee Madison Craft.
The Story of Bee Madison "Hippo" Craft
Bee Madison Craft had a nickname: "Hippo." Back then, "hippo" was a slang word in the Southern United States. It was a short way of saying hypochondriac, which meant someone who was often irritable or complained a lot. It seems Bee Madison Craft was known for these traits in the community, and so the name stuck!
The Post Office and Its History
The post office in Hippo was an important part of the community for many years. It helped people send and receive mail. However, like many small post offices, it eventually closed down. The Hippo post office stopped operating in June 1996.
