History of Mount Dora
A Rich History
The City of Mount Dora has a fascinating history.

Research has shown that the first survey maps were published in 1848 with the name “Lake Dora.” The William and Dora Ann Drawdy family is listed as farmers in Georgia, not Florida, on the 1850 U.S. Census. They arrive in Mount Dora before the 1860 census. So the mystery remains of the identity of the first Dora for whom the lake is named.
More settlers came to the area after Ms. Drawdy, including Mr. Ross C. Tremain and Capt. John Philip Donnelly, and each proved crucial to the growing settlement’s vitality.
Tremain became the town’s first official postmaster in 1880. The town was known as Royellou at the time, unofficially named for Tremain’s three children, Roy, Ella, and Louis.
Three years later, the town’s name was officially changed to Mount Dora to reflect the fact that the settlement rests upon a plateau 184 feet above sea level – an unusual feature in Florida.
A Growing City
In 1887, the arrival of the railroad stimulated the local economy and carried tourists and freight.
Tremain opened the first orange-packing house in 1891, although surrounding groves were destroyed by the great freezes of 1894 and ‘95. Also during the 1890s, fertilizer factories were established as well as a cannery.
Boom Years
The early 1920s marked a significant boom in residential growth and business development, and Mount Dora began the transformation from a country town into a city.
During this time, Mount Dora began investing in its public infrastructure. Streetlights, a water system, curbs, and paved roads were installed. The town’s first two public parks, Gilbert Park and Donnelly Park, were created after landowners Earl Gilbert and J. P. Donnelly donated prime pieces of land downtown and along Lake Dora’s shore.
Mount Dora Today
Mount Dora is now home to more than 13,000. The city retains the flavor of a small town with many historic buildings and its large canopy oak trees, and is known for its variety of antique and specialty shops and numerous special events throughout the year.Eight major annual events draw thousands of visitors:
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An interesting trivia fact: The 1981 film “Honky Tonk Freeway” was filmed in Mount Dora, and many Mount Dora buildings were temporarily painted pink for the film’s set.
Today, Mount Dora is a still-growing city with a flair for the arts, and the city remains a popular tourist destination.