Popash, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Popash, Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Hardee |
| Founded | 1850s |
| Named for | Possibly named after the pop ash tree |
Popash, Florida is a small, quiet place in Hardee County, Florida, United States. It's found along State Road 64. Popash started in the 1850s and was a well-known community by the late 1870s. It might have gotten its name from a tree called the pop ash. Even though a railroad was built nearby, it didn't go through Popash, which meant the town didn't grow as much as it could have. Today, people in Popash often work as farmers, ranch workers, or at orange groves.
Contents
History of Popash
Popash began as a farming community in the 1850s. By the late 1870s, it was a well-established place.
Early Community Life
In 1879, two important things were started in Popash: a post office and The New Hope Baptist Church. The post office helped people send and receive mail. It operated from 1879 until 1887, when it moved to Zolfo Springs. The New Hope Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in Hardee County. The town's cemetery, called The New Hope Cemetery, was also started in the late 1870s. It is located right across from the church.
The Railroad's Impact
In 1886, a new railroad was being built. People in Popash hoped it would come through their town. This would have helped Popash grow and become bigger. However, the railroad was built through Zolfo Springs instead. This meant Popash stayed a small and quiet community.
Popash School and General Store
Around 1898, Popash got its first school. At that time, Popash was part of DeSoto County. The school and the church were central to many of the town's activities. The school closed its doors in 1948. After being sold a few times, the building was taken down in 2009. In 1943, a general store was built in Popash. This store was still open in 1987, serving the community's needs.
Popash does not have an official written history. There are also no special markers to show its historical places.
Life in Popash Today
In recent times, people living in Popash work in agriculture. Many are farmers, growing crops in the area. Others work as ranch workers, helping with livestock. A lot of residents also work at the orange orchards located around the town. As of 1987, many people living in Popash had been born and raised there.
