History of Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

THE SOMBER MARK IN MT. DORA'S HISTORY

1/9/2016

Mount Dora's cup of charm no doubt runneth over. However, there's a sad piece of history that made it all possible. This tainted sliver of the past isn't immortalized with a plaque or bronze statue and the episode rarely gets more than a passing paragraph written about it.

In the early 1920's, a decade after the city's incorporation, some white residents believed the city could draw wealthy tourists from the Northeast and implemented the Mount Dora Redevelopment Project. That was the sugary term for mandating the removal of African-Americans from the downtown properties they owned and relocating them to East Town.

African-Americans had resided in the East Town area of Mount Dora since the 1850's. It was here among the dense trees and lack of plantations that 'free' blacks' believed they could live better lives and quietly subsist off the land.

Reportedly, the black and white communities co-existed peacefully with very little problems. Later in the 1800's and early 1900's, African-Americans owned properties in other areas of the city, including downtown. The forced Mount Dora Redevelopment Project wasn't embraced by downtown's African-American residents, however at that time they had no recourse and the program served to expose the black community's vulnerability.

Still today, some residents have never heard as much as a whisper about this part of their quaint city's past. Maybe because it's too shameful or simply forgotten history. Whatever the reason, the episode doesn't reflect poorly on the present-day charm and residents of Mount Dora, however it can be regarded as a relevant and educational chapter in its history.

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9 Comments

Debra Dallmann

1/11/2016 01:34:04 pm

The past is best left in the past, there are many things you could dig-up if you look back far enough. It is best to welcome all to our town now, to even say black or white is a separation of race.
We are all human, we are all one.
Let this our beautiful town and its fabulous residents be a welcome smile to all.
Not a look back on a sorry sad time.

Stephanie

1/11/2016 02:09:07 pm

Agreed! Honor those who were stripped of their sense of normalcy in the name of tourism! We honor our history in every culture because it empowers and educates us!

Jacquelene Willingham Mckinney

1/11/2016 11:03:20 pm

Dirty Laundry Never Goes Away, It Needs To Be Aired from the Stench Of Being Covered, Laundered, "and", Hung Out To DRY...
The Sooner The Better....
Long Over Due...

Carlton

1/12/2016 04:41:23 am

It's not in the past BC the past is our present and the original purpose to remove African American's out of Mt. Dora completely is still in effect. If not then why did the police station relocate from downtown to east town and put east town residents under constant watch under surveillance cameras and repetious police patrolling the same areas of east town daily. There's no other part of Mt. Dora that gets harassed by the police constantly. The way I see it. East town is a herd to white people who play the rolls of cowboys. But all of this will and can change if you eliminate racism. Remember this African Americans did give birth to racism it was fixed on us just like anywhere else in the world. And this will continue until Caucasian American's except responsibility for the wrong they have caused African Americans over all these years for what money. By the time Caucasians of Mt. Dora realize the importance of unity in the community I'm afraid it will be too late for African Americans in Mt. Dora BC the sole purpose and Devine order to remove out the African Americans completely is nearly complete. What is the roles of lifestyles were reversed and African Americans were doing Caucasian Americans like this every day of your live without peace. However that will make American Caucasians feel that's exactly how African Americans feel. God bless America and the entire world.

Bob Dumais

1/11/2016 08:28:43 pm

To ignore the past is to ignore the true bones of the area. We should study and acknowledge the past to insure the future that would be based on equality and tolerance. Yesteryear the inequality was directed towards the black population tomorrow inequality could be based on ethnicity as it has been in recent times. Our heads do not belong in the sand.

Brandon

1/12/2016 05:41:45 am

Lived in Mount Dora since I was eleven and never heard of this. A lot of people never heard of the massacre in Occoe either. What can we do when we're not the ones writing the book, they replace history with HISstory. The meek shall inherit the earth and what's done in the dark will always come to light. God hasn't forgotten.

Danixa

1/12/2016 08:36:23 am

Nothing new white people slaughter a whole race to get this USA. The race is greedy and never worked to get the riches they have today but stole and got them off the sweat and blood of black people. They are not ashamed at all. Lets face it race will always be an issue. Greed will always be an issue. Whites will always steal what they want at any cost!!! But the meek shall inhareit the earth. Of course they want this to stay hidden not that they would compensate. Dirty little things always come to light... I might be called a racist But so what my race has kept quiet long enough it is what it is...

Jaquan

1/12/2016 04:26:53 pm

You sound racist

Kathleen

1/11/2019 07:40:56 pm

I, For one, and deeply ashamed of all of the horrendous things my Caucasian race has done to Native Americans , African-Americans, Mexican Americans, and all the other races we have abused and used so cruelly. Everyone I know feels the same way I do and wishes we could do something to heal your 💕 .
If there is anything that I personally can do to help the situation, please let me know. I may be old age and a bit crippled but I will certainly do what I can.
God bless you and keep you healthy. And, hopefully, happy.
🙋🏻

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THE SOMBER MARK IN MT. DORA'S HISTORY

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