Sunday, December 4, 2005
Mount Dora: Southern Charm in Central Florida
In my quest to find unusual destinations to visit in the Orlando
area, I stumbled over a little town by the name of Mount Dora
just about 45 minutes north of Orlando. I had read that it was a
very picturesque small town located on a lake, and one of its main
attractions was a scenic railway.
Mount Dora City Hall
Mount Dora is only 27 miles or 43 km northwest of Orlando. It
has an elevation of 184 feet above Lake Dora, which makes it Florida's
only "mountain top town". Indeed the rolling hillsides
and winding roads are a welcome unique feature in the generally
flat topography of Florida.
Mount Dora's history dates back to the 1800s. In 1846 Lake Dora
was named for Dora Ann Drawdy. She and her husband homesteaded two
miles south of Mount Dora. In 1880 the town’s first name was
Royellou, named after the three children of Postmaster R. C. Tremain
- Roy, Ella, and Louis.
Architecture in Mount Dora.
Then in 1883 the town was renamed Mount Dora. Incorporated as a
town in 1910 with 370 residents, the town now has a population of
around 10,000 people. The first railroad service through Mount Dora
began in 1887 and by 1915 there were two passenger trains daily
in each direction. At one time citrus was the major industry in
the area, with a great deal shipped from Mount Dora, while today
Mount Dora's major industry is tourism.
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Shopping streets |
An Oldtimer in front of City Hall |
According to the Local Chamber of Commerce, the town also has a
number of claims to fame, including:
- The Friendliest Small Town
- Best Antique Shopping
- The New England of the South
- The City of Parks
- Festival City
- Top 100 Great Towns of America
- Best Romantic Escape
- Money Magazine "Top Places to Live Today"
What drew me here personally was the ride on the the "Herbie
Express", which is part of the Inland
Lakes Railway, located in Mount Dora and Eustis, Florida. The
ride I went on is a one hour train ride between Mount Dora and Wooton
Park in Tavares. We departed in a Pullman sleeper railcar originally
built in 1949 that was later refunctioned as a commuter railcar.
Our conductor enlightened us on all the local sights
The route initially takes you along Lake Dora and later continues
inland past shopping malls, and suburban residences. A young conductor
explained the local sights to us and kept us entertained. The Lake
Eustis / Mount Dora Railway also features other train rides, such
as the Lake County Champion, the Blue Swan Dinner Train, and the
Magnolia Sun Lunch Train. The Lake County Champion round trip is
2 hours and 20 minutes, with an opportunity for a short visit in
Eustis to enjoy Ferran Park and area shops.
The oldest structure in Mount Dora is the Lakeside Inn, established
in 1883. It features a wrap-around porch, gingerbread trim and a
steep roof crowned with a corner spire. The grounds are beautifully
landscaped.
The historic Lakeside Inn
Many of the walking and trolley tours through this quaint town
start at the former 1915 Atlantic Coast Line Depot, home of the
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce since 1973. Mount Dora's most
renowned architectural jewel is the Donnelly House. This Queen Anne-style
structure uses design elements characteristic of the Victorian Era.
The Donnelly House was constructed in 1893 by John Phillip Donnelly,
the first mayor of Mount Dora. The home sits on Donnelly Street
within walking distance from downtown Mount Dora. The Donnelly House
is just one of the many restored 19th and early 20th century buildings
in the Golden Triangle area.
The Donnelly House
This charming little town also features a whole host of specialty
retailers and is one of Florida's largest antiques and collectibles
centers. Renninger's Twin Markets is renowned for its antiques shopping.
The town also features a large variety of gift shops, fashion boutiques,
decorative art galleries, interesting cafes and restaurants as well
as charming bed and breakfasts.
One of my favourite features of this town, which also refers to
itself as "City of Parks", are the many public green spaces
by the water. Donnelly Park, located right downtown and dating back
to 1924, offers free concerts and other civic events. The park also
features a tennis court and shuffleboard facilities.
Beautiful Evans Park
After my demanding stroll through Mount Dora's winding streets
I walked down to the waterfront to Evans Park, which is located
across from the lighthouse. The view from the waterfront bench was
magnificent and I relaxed on the bench as I soaked up the sunshine.
The park is adjacent to the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club, one of
the largest in the United States. Its 300 member association plays
host to local and regional tournaments.
The lighthouse, viewed from Evans Park
Simpson Cove and Grantham Point are adjacent to Palm Island Park
and feature the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. This
lighthouse was built of bricks and donated by local residents. Gilbert
Park features a public boat ramp, picnic area, croquet court and
children's playground along Alexander Creek.
Palm Island Park features a 1700 foot fresh water hiking trail
and boardwalk through oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Other
wildlife, including bald eagles, and local indidgenous plants can
be admired here as well.
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Mt. Dora architecture |
Mt. Dora by the waterfront |
The City hosts many major annual events such as the popular "Mount
Dora Arts Festival". This event attracts over 150,000 people
each year and has been ranked among the top art shows in the country.
Other events include the Antique Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Golf
Tournament, Bicycle Festival, Crafts Fair and Plant and Garden Fair.
While I was exploring this charming little town, my husband played
golf at the Mount Dora Golf Association. He played a beautifully
manicured full-size 18-hole course, and at $18 including cart, this
outing was a real bargain. The Mount Dora area also offers a variety
of other golf courses, including the Black Bear Golf Club, the Country
Club of Mount Dora, Deer Island Golf Club, Eagle Dunes Golf Course,
Heathrow Country Estates Redtail Golf Course, the Mission Inn Golf
& Tennis Resort and the Pine Meadows Country Club.
I capped off my explorations with a delicious late afternoon ice
cream on the patio of the Sunshine Mountain Bakery, soaking up the
sun while waiting to hear about my husband's golf adventures. Mount
Dora is a great day trip from Orlando and we enjoyed our drive back
through the countryside of rural Florida.
The sunny patio of the Sunshine Mountain Bakery
For more information about Mount Dora you can visit the Mount
Dora Chamber of Commerce's website.
Orlando and Central Florida travel stories:
Orlando Off the Beaten
Path
A visit to the Orange
County Regional History Center
Exploring Orlando's African
American Heritage at the Well's Built Museum
A lovely evening walk around downtown
Orlando's Lake Eola
Visual delights served
up on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
A walking tour through quaint
historic Winter Park
Our high-speed adrenaline adventure
at Boggy Creek Airboat Tours
Our picnic lunch by the Kissimmee
waterfront
Exploring picturesque Mount Dora
on the "Herbie Express"
Orlando's Loch Haven Park:
Center of culture and arts
Exploring downtown Orlando's
historic neighbourhoods and parks
Learning about citrus at
Florida's Natural Visitor Center
Architectural and natural
beauty at the Bok Historic Sanctuary
Central Florida: a haven
for naturalists and plant lovers
Central Florida's wildlife:
surprising ecological diversity..
Driving home through St. Augustine:
the oldest city in the US
Articles on Golf in Central Florida:
A first-hand
look at ChampionsGate
A first-hand look at the
Royal St. Cloud Links
A first-hand look at Timacuan
Golf and Country Club
Attending the Father
Son Challenge at ChampionsGate
An overview of golf in the Orlando area:
Orlando- Golf's Ultimate Theme Park
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