New project highlights Mount Dora’s historic buildings

A stroll through downtown Mount Dora will soon be a trip through time that uncovers the roots that shaped Mount Dora’s legacy and its unique historic district.

Mount Dora Historical Society’s new project of placing 17 identification markers on downtown’s historic buildings and educating the public about their past is part of its overall goal to bring the city’s rich history to life.  The attractive 12 inch by 18 inch plaques include a vintage photo and the history of the particular building in order to share its past with passersby.

“Our community’s heritage is important to the locals and intriguing to the many tourists who visit each year. From one of the oldest buildings built in 1910 to a more recent one built in the 1940s, these markers will preserve their history,” said Susan Myers, one of the historical society members overseeing the project. 

Currently, the landlords of the following properties have agreed to place the markers of their buildings.

• Monroe Vann Simpson Building (Matamo Designs)
• Simpson Building (One Flight Up)
• Bank of Mount Dora (Becker’s Shoes)
• Rehbaum Hardware (Piglet’s Pantry)
• Lakes and Hills Realty Company (J.K. Thai Restaurant)
• Rehbaum Warehouse (The Warehouse)
• Old Fire Station (Jerky Co.)
• Simpson Hotel 
• Kimball’s Garage (Papilio’s)
• First National Bank (Shamrock Building)
• Dr. T.N. Lewis Drugstore (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow)
• The Variety Store (Los Palmas)
• Texaco Gas & Greyhound Station (Mount Dora Marketplace)
• Mount Dora Hotel (Renaissance Building)
• Warren J. Butts House (Cooper’s Alley)
• Mount Dora Topic and Publishing Company (Gold In Art Jewelers)
• The First City Fire House & Jail (Mount Dora History Museum)

ABOVE: Examples of two of the plaques on downtown Mount Dora's historic buildings

The markers will be installed over the next few months and involved gaining permission from 13 enthusiastic building owners and securing funding from the Mount Dora Historical Preservation Fund.
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“Many visitors come to Mount Dora because of its historic nature, and these markers will add to their understanding of our past and enrich their experience. It will also be fun for long-term residents to be reminded of not only what these buildings looked like, but how they were used during the previous century,” said Steve Williams, another historical society member overseeing this project.

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