We Are One Community
Mount Dora, Florida
One voice, seeking to preserve the charm of historic downtown Mount Dora. This site was created by a group of Mount Dora residents that wish to share our love for this special, historic town. Being that there are very few small towns left today, we hope to protect our piece of “Old Florida”.
Current Concerns
Our city is currently presented with a challenge, which could forever change our historic downtown. A proposal to increase building heights in the downtown is being discussed. We need your help to protect our historic downtown, a place worth saving. Please follow us on Facebook, and Twitter for the latest news.
Mount Dora’s historic downtown is full of beautiful architecture, restaurants and charming shops. Each of the one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops in our downtown are owned by locals, never a big box store in sight.
Our lakeside city is full of beautiful parks that surround the downtown and Lake Dora. The wildlife here are treasured. Alligators, heron, cranes and eagles are spotted among our chain of lakes.
Holidays are not to be missed in Mount Dora. They are a most cherished time in our small town, full of many festivities. Lights glow all over the downtown, marina and upon the story book historic homes. Children love the annual “Snow in the Park” and Christmas parade.
Visitors from all over the world have described Mount Dora as “The New England of the South” or the “Festival City”. While those are wonderful reasons to love this marvelous city, we would like to be recognized as one of the small, historic towns remaining in Florida.
“At its best preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future.”
-William Murtagh
Donnelly House – Home built in 1893 by Annie and J. P. Donnelly. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, it is now the Lodge No. 238 of the Fraternal and Accepted Masons.
Walking and Driving Tour – Click on the map to view the full brochure of the Mount Dora Historical District.
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Donnelly and 7th. – This beautiful building is said to have been built by a ship’s carpenter from Philadelphia, PA. The church’s first services were held in the late 1880s. J.P. Donnelly donated the land where the church was built. Notable attendees of the church include former President Calvin Coolidge and Mrs. Coolidge.
Palm Island Park – An 8-acre natural preservation area; the park is a wonderful place to view native plants and wildlife while enjoying a walk on the boardwalk.
Antique Boat on Lake Dora – You may see an antique boat during the Mount Dora Holiday Boat Parade or Sunnyland’s Antique Boat Festival.
Port of Mount Dora – Has a famous landmark, the lighthouse at Grantham Point. It’s now a popular photo spot and is the only freshwater, inland U.S. Coast Guard certified lighthouse in the state of FL. Did you know the lighthouse was originally built to help boaters navigate the dark to find the shoreline?
Mount Dora Garage – Jerome George LaDue owned the garage, which was established in 1918, he was originally from Minnesota.
