Upthegrove Beach, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Upthegrove Beach
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 Upthegrove Beach
Location in Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Okeechobee |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
34974
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Upthegrove Beach is a small, quiet place in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. It's not a city with its own government. Instead, it's an unincorporated community, meaning it's part of the larger county. You can find it right on the northeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, which is a very large lake in Florida. It's also located along two important roads, US 441 and US 98.
Contents
History of Upthegrove Beach
Upthegrove Beach got its name from the Upthegrove family. This family has a long history, originally known as the Op Den Graeff family from Germany. Many family members played a part in the area's development.
Early Settlers and Community Leaders
One important family member was Robert Upthegrove. He moved to the area around 1912. Later, he became one of the first leaders for Okeechobee County. This means he helped make important decisions for the county when it was first formed.
His son, Clarence Dewitt Upthegrove, also known as Dewitt, had an interesting life. He once worked for the famous inventor Thomas Edison in Fort Myers. Later, Dewitt owned a company that used heavy machinery. This company helped build the Herbert Hoover Dike, a large wall around Lake Okeechobee that helps control water levels. He also served as the Supervisor of Elections for Palm Beach County.
The Upthegrove Family's European Roots
The Upthegrove family's ancestors came from Germany. They were part of the Op den Graeff family, who had Dutch roots. They were Mennonites, a type of Christian group.
- One of their direct ancestors was Herman op den Graeff. He was a leader in the Mennonite community in a city called Krefeld.
- Herman's grandson, Abraham op den Graeff, was also a significant figure. He was one of the people who helped start Germantown in Pennsylvania.
- In 1688, Abraham op den Graeff was one of the people who signed the first protest against slavery in colonial America. This shows their family's long history of standing up for what they believed was right.
Geography of Upthegrove Beach
Upthegrove Beach is located in Okeechobee County, Florida. Its position on the northeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee makes it a unique place. Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and an important part of the state's natural environment. The community is surrounded by the natural beauty of the lake and the flat landscapes typical of central Florida.
