Mount Dora

Ben and I went to Mount Dora for a little walk and snoop
I had been there before and wanted to return.
On my first visit I snooped in the many Artsy Fartsy shops but
did not delve into the history of the town.

Like most Florida towns the origin came from Oranges, little did I know!
Oranges were cultivated in the area and shipped by water and later by rail.
Mount Dora was a pass through for people travelling from East to West via rail,
two passenger trains passed daily. Of course with the railroad came more progress
in freight and oranges were packed in tissue paper and made there way across the
country. The local orange groves stamped their oranges with the seal of the
well known fish, the " Bass".

The town early settlers were very lonely as the first town residents in 1874
the Simpson's made their homestead in what was called Royellou soon to be changed to
Mount Dora.Between 1974 and 1882 there were 16 full time families in Mount Dora.
Soon to follow was the railroad in 1887,one year after the first published town newspaper.

Besides the orange groves the area was known for it's beautiful lakes and
Mount Dora became a waterfront play area for the rich. It's economy flourished
in the summer as people visited by train, water and road and stayed in the
prestigious Lakeshore Inn. As well as several historic bed and breakfasts
throughout the town.

One may not know that Mount Dora was also a historical town not for it's beauty
but for the history of it's black heritage. Today a strong Historical Committee
maintains the culture of the community as it was first adopted it's doctrine in
1898 when the men of Mount Dora formed the Masonic Lodge . With strong attendance
they have received much recognition from the state of Florida for their work./