Zolfo Springs, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zolfo Springs, Florida
Town
Town of Zolfo Springs
Zolfo Springs Town Hall
Location in Hardee County and the state of Florida
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Hardee
Settled (Zolfo)	c. 1877–1886
Incorporated (Town of Zolfo)	October 18, 1904
Incorporated (Town of Zolfo Springs)	September 13, 1909
Government
• Type	Commission–Manager
Area
• Total	1.74 sq mi (4.50 km2)
• Land	1.74 sq mi (4.50 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,737
• Density	998.85/sq mi (385.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	33890
Area code(s)	863
FIPS code	12-79250
GNIS feature ID	0293628

Zolfo Springs is a small town in Hardee County, Florida, United States. It is located in the central part of Florida, known as the Florida Heartland. In 2020, about 1,737 people lived there.

What Does "Zolfo" Mean?

The town's name comes from a cool story from the early 1800s. Miners from Spain and Italy were exploring along the Peace River. They found a spring that smelled strongly of sulfur. Because of this, the Italian miners called the area "zolfo", which is the Italian word for "sulfur".

A Look Back: Zolfo Springs History

Early Days and the Cattle Trail

Long ago, the area, then just called "Zolfo", became important because it was on the Florida Cracker Trail. This was a path used to move cattle from Bradenton to Fort Pierce. As early as 1850, cattle from this region were herded along this route to the coast. Today, parts of this historic trail are now State Road 64 and State Road 66 through Zolfo Springs.

The Railroad Arrives

Transportation got much better in 1886 when the Florida Southern Railway built tracks through Zolfo. This railroad connected Bartow to Punta Gorda. A train station and a post office were set up in the town that same year. The railroad tracks were removed in the early 1980s. Now, US 17 follows where the old railroad used to be. Main Street was the original path of US 17.

Becoming an Official Town

Zolfo Springs officially became a town on October 18, 1904. It was first called the "Town of Zolfo". A few years later, on September 13, 1909, its name was officially changed to the "Town of Zolfo Springs".

Where is Zolfo Springs Located?

Zolfo Springs is right in the middle of Hardee County, Florida. You can find it at these coordinates: 27°29′46″N 81°47′49″W / 27.49611°N 81.79694°W / 27.49611; -81.79694.

Major Roads and Rivers

U.S. Route 17 goes right through the town. If you go north on US 17, you'll reach Wauchula, which is the county seat, about 4 miles away. Going south for about 20 miles will take you to Arcadia.

Florida State Road 64 crosses the northern part of town. It goes northeast for 18 miles to Avon Park and west for 50 miles to Bradenton. SR 66 starts from US 17 in Zolfo Springs and heads east for 25 miles to U.S. Route 27 near Sebring.

The town covers about 4.5 square kilometers (1.74 square miles) of land. The Peace River, which flows south towards Punta Gorda, forms part of the town's northern border. You can also find Pioneer Park Lake and Pioneer Park within the town limits.

Zolfo Springs Climate

The weather in Zolfo Springs is usually hot and humid in the summer. Winters are generally mild. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.

Population Changes Over Time

The population of Zolfo Springs has changed quite a bit over the years. In 2010, there were 1,827 people living in the town. By 2020, the population was 1,737 people, living in 597 households.

Local Media

If you're in Zolfo Springs, you can listen to these radio stations:

• WZZS-FM (106.9 The Bull)
• WZSP-FM (105.3 La Zeta)

Zolfo Springs Pioneer Park Museum

See also

In Spanish: Zolfo Springs para niños