History

Hendry County was created in 1923. It was named for Captain Francis A. Hendry, one of the first white settlers. Hendry County lies on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee and touches the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. This is the Everglades - River of Grass. While the land and waters are ancient, the county is young and remains agricultural. Hendry County is the site of the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Hendry was formed from Lee County on May 11, 1923. The only two incorporated cities are LaBelle, the county seat, and Clewiston, home to US Sugar.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,190 square miles (3,100 km²), of which 1,153 square miles (2,990 km²) is land and 37 square miles (96 km²)

 (3.1%) is water.^[3] The county borders Lake Okeechobee; the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail runs through Hendry County.

Adjacent counties