Learn More About Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora, Florida
Part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Area, Mount Dora is a compact city in Lake County, Florida. It is a serene location overlooking the lakes Dora, Beauclair and Gertrude and covering about 6 square miles, of which around 15 percent is made up of water. It sits at an elevation of approximately 56 meters above sea level and lacks a mountain in its vicinity despite its name. A major appeal of the community to home buyers is its small town ambiance.
The history of Mount Dora began with the settlement in the area by David Simpson and his family in 1874. The town was founded in 1880 and named "Royellou" after the children of its first postmaster, Ross. C. Tremain. The name was later changed to the present one, influenced by Lake Dora, which was named after an early settler known as Dora Ann Drawdy. The town's position on a plateau is said to have been responsible for the inclusion of "Mount" in the name. The charter for Mount Dora was approved in 1910 when it had a total of 371 residents. The town expanded rapidly from the 1920s, with investment in real estate expanding and spending on public infrastructure commencing.
From less than 1,000 residents in 1970, Mount Dora has grown to become home to more than 13,000 people. Its small town charm is a major draw for many people, combined with scenic lakes in the area. The city appears to be home to many older people, with median age of residents estimated at around 46 years. Lakes/Mount Dora is one of the most popular communities in this city, which is home to one of the three freshwater lighthouses in the state of Florida.
Mount Dora is an ideal place to live considering the great outdoors and many exciting activities to engage in. It boasts several nature preserves and parks, including Grantham Point Park which is also known as "Lighthouse Park" for the 35-foot Mount Dora Light, the state's only inland freshwater lighthouse. Sometimes called the "Bass Capital of the World," this city offers opportunity to engage in fishing. Several other water-related activities can be enjoyed in nearby lakes, such as Lake Dora and Lake Gertrude. Dora Canal offers a great place for watching birds, such as herons, ospreys and egrets.
You may as well opt for a ride on the Orange Blossom Cannonball, also known as the Movie Train, the US's only wood-burning, steam-powered locomotive in operation. Better still, you can go back in time with a visit to one of the many museums or historic sites in the area.
Nicknamed the "Festival City," Mount Dora is the host of many monthly and annual events. The biggest of these is arguably the Mount Dora Craft Fair, which is held during the fourth weekend of October and attracts more than 250,000 visitors. Some other noteworthy events include the Mount Dora Music Festival, the Sailboat Regatta (Florida's oldest) and the Mount Dora Blues and Groove weekend every May.
Mount Dora is a cool city whose small town charm cannot be denied. It is home to several parks, museum and many exciting festivals. This is a place worthy of consideration when looking to live somewhere significantly removed from noisy urban centers.
