Lorida, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorida, Florida
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 Lorida, Florida
Location in Florida
Lorida, Florida
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Highlands |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
33857
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| Area code(s) | 863 |
Lorida (lor-EE-duh) is a small, unincorporated community in eastern Highlands County, Florida, United States. It's not a city with its own government, but rather a group of homes and businesses. You can find Lorida along U.S. Route 98, located between the cities of Sebring and Okeechobee.
Besides some small businesses along U.S. 98, Lorida is known for its many fish camps and lodges. These are found on the north and east sides of Lake Istokpoga. People often visit to enjoy fishing and other outdoor activities by the lake.
A Look at Lorida's Past
Lorida was first called Istokpoga. This name came from the Seminole people. However, the U.S. postal service asked for a name change. There was another post office in Florida with a very similar name.
So, the community decided to shorten the name of the state, Florida. That's how it became Lorida! A post office was first set up in 1924 under the name Istokpoga. The name officially changed to Lorida in 1937.
Sometimes, people in the area have joked about a big theme park called "Six Flags over Lorida" being built there. But this has always been just a fun rumor with no real plans.
Famous People from Lorida
- Ann Davison was a remarkable person who lived in Lorida. She was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean all by herself in a small boat. This was a huge achievement! In her later years, Ann Davison lived on a ranch in Lorida. There, she and her husband had a unique hobby: they raised exotic cats.
