Ochopee, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ochopee, Florida
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Ochopee Post Office
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 Ochopee, Florida
Location in Florida
Ochopee, Florida
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County |  Collier |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
34141
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| Area code(s) | 239 |
| GNIS feature ID | 295500 |
Ochopee is a small, quiet place in Collier County, Florida, United States. It's not a city with its own government. Instead, it's a community where people live and work. You can find Ochopee in the southwestern part of Florida. It is near the meeting point of US 41 and State Road 29. Ochopee is also close to the cities of Naples and Marco Island.
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The Name of Ochopee
Have you ever wondered how a place gets its name? Ochopee got its name in a fun way. A visitor to the local store asked the owner what the area was called. A Seminole man was in the store that day. The owner asked him the Seminole word for "farm." The farmer replied, "O-Chopp-ee." That's how this community got its unique name!
A Farming Community's Start
Ochopee began as a small farming community in the early 1920s. It was started by one family, the Gaunts, who grew tomatoes. James Gaunt bought about 240 acres of land. This land was along what is now US Highway 41. At first, the family lived in army tents. Soon, a small community grew around Gaunt's tomato farm. This was the start of Ochopee.
The Smallest Post Office
One of the most famous things about Ochopee is its tiny post office. The original post office building burned down. So, the people used an old storage shed to handle their mail. This shed became the new Ochopee Post Office. It is now known as the smallest post office in the entire United States! It still works as a post office today. Many tourists also visit it because it's so unique.
Protecting the Everglades
Over time, the original farm and settlement changed. The United States government slowly bought much of the land. This was part of a big effort to protect the Everglades. The Everglades is a very important natural area in Florida. It is full of unique plants and animals. Today, only a few small businesses remain in Ochopee. It is also home to the main office for the Big Cypress National Preserve. This preserve helps protect a large part of the Everglades.
Fun Places to Visit in Ochopee
Even though Ochopee is small, it has some interesting places to see.
- Ochopee post office: This is the famous smallest post office in the nation.
- Skunk Ape Research Center: This place explores stories of a mysterious creature.
- Joanie's Crab Shack: A popular spot for local food.
- National Park Service Big Cypress Headquarters: This is the main office for the Big Cypress National Preserve. It used to be a motel called The Golden Lion Motor Inn.
- Wootens World Famous Airboats: Here you can take exciting airboat rides. These rides let you explore the nearby swamps and see wildlife.
