Lake Co. Communities and Settlements
Mt. Dora
Mt. Dora, located on a hill high above Lake Dora, is
known as a little bit of
New England. Many antique shops and restaurants comprise the downtown area.
Lake Dora was so named after Mrs. James (Dora Ann) Drawdy who, with her husband,
settled near Mt. Dora in 1845. That same year government surveyors camped in the
Drawdy's yard. She was such a gracious hostess they vowed to name the body of water
after her. Two years later, when the government map was published, Lake Dora was on it.
The David Simpson family was the first to homestead in what is now
Mt. Dora, followed the next year by the Stones. The Stones divorced
and in 1879, J.P. Donnelly became her neighbor. Two years later
they were married, joining their land holdings, which now
constitutes the land the downtown is situated on.
In 1880 a post office was obtained, but the town had
no name as yet. The town was named Royellou after
Roy, Ella and Louis, the 3
children of the first postmaster.
On February 12, 1883, the name was official changed to Mt. Dora.
Mt. Dora is host of the annual Mt. Dora Art Festival which draws several
thousand people during the weekend. Other shows and festivals include a Sailboat
Regatta, Power Boat Regatta, Antique Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Bicycle Festival,
Arts and Crafts Show, and art showings at the Mt. Dora Center for the Arts.
Several area buildings have been rejuvenated including The Donnelly House, home
for the Masonic Lodge, and an older home, the Unity House, is now the home of the
Historical Society.
Along Lake Dora is plenty to keep the outdoors enthusiast busy.
Gilbert Park has a great playground for children, a large boat landing
with an islet jutting in the midst leading to a miature lighthouse on
it's point. Also available is a nature boardwalk constructed over the water.
Many of the downtown buildings house Antique stores.
The old Jail has been cleverly turned in to a Museum.
The Cells work well for display areas. The old movie
Theatre downtown has several small shops in it.
For a treat of Yesteryear one can
take a train ride.
New England. Many antique shops and restaurants comprise the downtown area.
Lake Dora was so named after Mrs. James (Dora Ann) Drawdy who, with her husband,
settled near Mt. Dora in 1845. That same year government surveyors camped in the
Drawdy's yard. She was such a gracious hostess they vowed to name the body of water
after her. Two years later, when the government map was published, Lake Dora was on it.
The David Simpson family was the first to homestead in what is now
Mt. Dora, followed the next year by the Stones. The Stones divorced
and in 1879, J.P. Donnelly became her neighbor. Two years later
they were married, joining their land holdings, which now
constitutes the land the downtown is situated on.
In 1880 a post office was obtained, but the town had
no name as yet. The town was named Royellou after
Roy, Ella and Louis, the 3
children of the first postmaster.
On February 12, 1883, the name was official changed to Mt. Dora.
Mt. Dora is host of the annual Mt. Dora Art Festival which draws several
thousand people during the weekend. Other shows and festivals include a Sailboat
Regatta, Power Boat Regatta, Antique Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Bicycle Festival,
Arts and Crafts Show, and art showings at the Mt. Dora Center for the Arts.
Several area buildings have been rejuvenated including The Donnelly House, home
for the Masonic Lodge, and an older home, the Unity House, is now the home of the
Historical Society.
Along Lake Dora is plenty to keep the outdoors enthusiast busy.
Gilbert Park has a great playground for children, a large boat landing
with an islet jutting in the midst leading to a miature lighthouse on
it's point. Also available is a nature boardwalk constructed over the water.
Many of the downtown buildings house Antique stores.
The old Jail has been cleverly turned in to a Museum.
The Cells work well for display areas. The old movie
Theatre downtown has several small shops in it.
For a treat of Yesteryear one can
take a train ride.
Other pages about Mt. Dora History
Black History in Mount Dora, Florida
This page is maintained by
a volunteer of the
The Florida GenWeb Project, Inc.
Comments and suggestions will be welcomed.
This page last updated October 25, 2009
FLGenWeb Project, Inc.| AUP | USGenWeb
© 2009 by Fran Smith
Acron Aka Paisley
Altoona
Astor
Cassia
Clermont
Eustis
Groveland
Lake Mack
Leesburg
Mascotte
Montverde
Mount Dora
Okahumpka
Orange Bend
Paisley
Pitman
Ravenwood
Sorrento
Tavares
Umatilla