Sopchoppy, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sopchoppy, Florida
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| City of Sopchoppy | |
Old Sopchoppy High School Gymnasium
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Location in Wakulla County and the state of Florida
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Wakulla |
| Settled | 1894 |
| Incorporated | 1955 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.68 sq mi (4.35 km2) |
| • Land | 1.68 sq mi (4.35 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 426 |
| • Density | 253.87/sq mi (98.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32358
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| Area code(s) | 448/850 |
| FIPS code | 12-66925 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0306416 |
Sopchoppy is a small city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. It is located in the Florida Panhandle area of North Florida. The beautiful Ochlockonee River State Park is also nearby. Sopchoppy is part of the larger Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, about 426 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Sopchoppy Located?
Sopchoppy is found at coordinates 30 degrees, 3 minutes, 36 seconds North and 84 degrees, 29 minutes, 28 seconds West. This means it's in the northern part of Florida. The city covers about 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers) of land.
What is Sopchoppy's Climate Like?
The weather in Sopchoppy is known for its hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. It means there is a lot of moisture in the air, especially during the warmer months.
The History of Sopchoppy
The name "Sopchoppy" comes from an older word, "Lockchoppe." This word is from the Muskogean languages, spoken by Native American tribes. It means "acorn stem." This was the original name for the nearby river.
The name "Sopchoppy" was first written down in 1850. It appeared in a newspaper advertisement in Tallahassee. This was almost 50 years before the city was officially founded.
Sopchoppy started as a settlement in 1894. This happened when the Carrabelle, Tallahassee and Georgia Railroad built a railway through the area. The railroad company owned land there. They planned the city on this land. To get people to move there, the railroad advertised the area. They sometimes made the soil and climate sound even better than they were.
The Sopchoppy Depot was built in 1891. A depot is a train station. Today, it is a museum. It was built for the Carrabelle, Tallahassee & Georgia Railroad. People sometimes called this railroad the "Gopher, Frog & Alligator Company." This railroad line started in 1893 and closed in 1946. It was very important for moving goods. It carried lumber, turpentine, honey, farm products, and even soldiers. It also transported fresh fish, oysters, sturgeon caviar, frog legs, and catfish.
Even though people lived in Sopchoppy since at least 1894, it officially became a city in 1955. When a place is "incorporated," it means it has its own local government.
Population Changes in Sopchoppy
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 450 | — | |
| 1970 | 460 | 2.2% | |
| 1980 | 444 | −3.5% | |
| 1990 | 367 | −17.3% | |
| 2000 | 426 | 16.1% | |
| 2010 | 457 | 7.3% | |
| 2020 | 426 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Sopchoppy has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 457 people living in the city. By 2020, the population was 426. In 2020, there were 220 households and 119 families living in Sopchoppy.
Famous People from Sopchoppy
- B. K. Roberts was born in Sopchoppy. He later became a Justice on the Florida Supreme Court.
Fun Festivals in Sopchoppy
Sopchoppy is famous for its yearly American Worm Gruntin' Festival. This festival celebrates a special way to find worms. It's called "worm grunting" or "worm charming." People hammer wooden stakes into the ground. Then, they rub the stakes with metal slabs. This makes vibrations in the ground. The vibrations cause worms to come to the surface. People then collect the worms. They often use or sell them for fishing bait.
A book called Clownfish Blues by Tim Dorsey was published in 2017. Part of this story takes place in Sopchoppy. Worm grunting is even a part of the plot!
See also
In Spanish: Sopchoppy para niños
