Mount Dora Today      

The town of Mount Dora was eventually incorporated into a city in 1953 and has experienced growth since that time. Today, Mount Dora is home to more than 10,000. The City retains the flavor of a small town with many historic buildings, 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 including the Mount Dora Arts Festival, an antique boat show, antique car show, sailing regatta, golf tournament, bicycle festival, crafts fair and the annual Christmas lighting festival draw thousands of visitors. 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.

 Mount Dora History

The City of Mount Dora has a fascinating history. The large, beautiful lake upon which the City grew is named for Ms. Dora Ann Drawdy (1819-1885), who homesteaded in the mid- 1800s and befriended federal surveyors with her warm hospitality. In 1846, the surveyors named Lake Dora for her, and years later in 1883, the small but growing town was named for the lake. Today, Ms. Drawdy is buried in Umatilla. Click here to read more >>