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The City of Mt. Dora, Florida
About
The City of Mount Dora was established in 1880, the City of Mount Dora was first named Royellou after one of the City´s pioneers. Lake Dora was named for a local resident who provided camping hospitality to Federal surveyors in 1883. The town was later renamed after the lake. The "mount" refers to the fact that the city sits on a plateau 266 feet above sea level. Incorporated as a town on March 25, 1910 with 370 residents, it was later incorporated as a city on April 23, 1953. Mount Dora now boasts a population of approximately 10,364.
Government and City Services
The City Charter provides for the council/manager form of government. The mayor and two council members are elected at large, with four council members elected by district. Members serve two-year staggered terms.
In addition to police, fire, streets, parks, recreation and library services, the City also provides water, sewer, electric, storm water and solid waste disposal services. The City has numerous parks, including a lakefront boardwalk for bird and wildlife watching, a boardwalk off of Donnelly Street through property donated to the City by Edee Waite, and the beautifully landscaped Donnelly Park which houses the Donnelly Park Building. There is also an extensive, tree-shaded cemetery owned and managed by the City.
Currently, the City is working on a combination beautification and utility project in the City´s downtown area. The project includes the transformation of alleyways into a streetscape complete with designer bricks and antique street lights.
Other Features
Located approximately 25 miles northwest of Orlando, the City retains the flavor of a small town with hilly terrain, several lakes, large canopy oak trees and historic buildings. Mount Dora was recently recognized by the readers of Florida Living Magazine as Florida´s friendliest small town and as having the best antique shopping area in the state.
The City has a viable downtown with a variety of antique and specialty shops and restaurants. There is limited light industrial business. One of the goals for the newly-approved Economic Development Coordinator will be to find ways to attract clean, light industry to the City.
"The Festival City" hosts eight major annual events beginning with the Mount Dora Arts Festival. This popular event attracts over 150,000 people each year and has been ranked among the top 200 arts shows in the country. Other events include an antique boat show, antique car show, sailing regatta, golf tournament, bicycle festival, crafts fair and the Christmas lighting festival.
The City Limits abut Lake Dora and encompass over 8.1 square miles. The service area for water, sewer and planning purposes encompasses 16.14 square miles.
The current millage rate is 6.181/p>
History
- 1846 - Lake Dora is named for Dora Ann Drawdy. She and her husband homesteaded two miles south of Mount Dora.
- 1874 - David M. Simpson, his wife and two children were the first to homestead in what is now Mount Dora.
- 1880 - The town´s first name was Royellou, named after the three children of Postmaster R. C. Tremain--Roy, Ella, and Louis.
- 1882 - The first school in Mount Dora was established.
- 1883 - The town was renamed Mount Dora.
- 1886 - Mount Dora´s first newspaper was published, a copy of which is on display in the Royellou Museum in town. There were 174 residents in the community.
- 1887 - The first railroad service through Mount Dora began and by 1915 there were two passenger trains daily in each direction.
- 1893 - The Donnelly House was built. It is now the home of Mount Dora Lodge 238, F.& A.M.
- 1910 - The town of Mount Dora was incorporated, and J. P. Donnelly was elected the first mayor. At that time there were no paved streets or sidewalks.
- 1915 - The railroad depot was built. It is now the Chamber of Commerce office.
- 1924 - Donnelly Park was created in the center of the city on land obtained from J. P. Donnelly for $45,000.
- 1930 - President Calvin Coolidge and his wife spent the month of February vacationing at the Lakeside Inn.
- Mount Dora is situated in a county that has 1400 named lakes, and its elevation of 184 feet above sea level qualifies it as a Mount in the State of Florida. At one time citrus was the major industry in the area, with a great deal shipped from Mount Dora.
What to learn more about Mt. Dora, Florida? Contact Laura Napoleon today to help you get started!
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