Mount Dora Homes & Real Estate

If one word describes Mount Dora in Lake County, it is “charming.”

The setting alone makes this town of 16,000-plus unique among the cities and towns of Central Florida. Sitting on a hill at a whopping 184 feet, overlooking Lake Dora, the community immediately takes you back the what many call “Old Florida,” with lush foliage and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.

Although the first postmaster named the town for his three children (Royellou), three years later, both Mount Dora and Lake Dora were renamed for Dora Ann Drawdy, who homesteaded with her husband two miles from what is now the town limits. It is said that the surveyors who worked diligently in the area back in the 1800s, appreciated the dinners that Dora Ann provided, and named the lake and town in her honor.

Much of the town’s attractiveness comes from the older buildings, quaint shops and friendly restaurants that line the streets of the very compact and walkable downtown area.

Not only do the restaurants offer a wide variety of fare, they are also known for their interesting, often whimsical names—Magical Meat Boutique, Scoops on 5^th, Maw’s Mountain Moonshine, The Salted Fry and Munchies Live BBQ to name a few.  And don’t forget the shops, including the Spice & Tea Exchange, Walk in the Woods, Lee Fusion Art Glass Studio, the Checkered Moon, The White Orchid and the Salty Mare.

Antiques and interesting items are the hallmarks of Renninger’s Antique Center and Farmer’s Flea Market where residents and visitors flock to see what is available for sale this week. The Antiques Center is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and the Farmer’s Flea Market is open on Saturday and Sundays. With 117 acres of treasures, you’ll never know what you will find!

There are several interesting historical buildings in Mount Dora, and one of them, the Lakeside Inn, is not only a landmark of the town, but visitors can actually stay at this inn that was built in 1882-83.

Its setting on a gracious lawn, with oak trees providing shade for the 200-foot verandah (complete with rocking chairs) brings back a slower, more relaxing time. However, visitors can enjoy many activities, including eating at the inn’s four restaurants, boating on Lake Dora, swimming, seaplane rides, and of course, shopping in Mount Dora.

Over the years, the inn changed names and ownership, was renovated and expanded to 87 rooms. Today, they Lakeside Inn is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture of the 19^th century while enjoying a reputation as a luxury hotel on the shore of Lake Dora.

The Lakeside Inn wouldn’t have grown in popularity if it weren’t for the railroad. Mount Dora got its first railroad service in 1887. In 1915 the railroad depot was built to service both freight and passenger trains.  By 1922, there were four “mixed” trains, combining passenger, mail and freight, per day. Passenger trains brought guests to the Lakeside Inn until the 1950s.The Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce is now housed in the Old Mount Dora Train Depot. Efforts by the community have helped renovate the building, including the “Baggage Room” that is used as a community meeting room.

Mount Dora not only has wonderful antiquing, but features the Modernism Museum showcasing mid-century art and furnishings, including those from David Bowie; the gingerbread-style Donnelly House which houses the Masonic Lodge, but is open to the public on special occasions, and the Old City Jail, which today is a small museum, the Royellou Museum, operated by the Mount Dora Historical Society.

For the more active residents and visitors, there are many outdoor activities available, including a great line-up of festivals each year that draw thousands to Mount Dora.

Among the things to do in Mount Dora are:

• Boating on Lake Dora is a special treat, and tours include not only Lake Dora but the Dora Canal, located in the Harris Chain of Lakes. The foliage alone makes the Dora Canal part of the tour worthwhile, but the wildlife seen from the boat is a bonus. The tours are available on pontoon boats by Premier Boat Tours, located at Lakeside Inn and Rusty Anchor Mount Dora, based at the 400 W. 4^th dock. For the more adventuresome, there is the CatBoat Adventure Tours, a guided tour in a two-person powered catamaran.
• Food Tours are also popular in Mount Dora and the Taste of our Town Mount Dora offers a guided tasting tour of local food and wines Thursday through Sunday. What a great introduction to the restaurants of Mount Dora!
• Tours are not only limited to boats and food. There are the Mount Dora Ghost and Vampire Tours, Segway Tours, Bar, Club and Pub Tours, Beer Tasting Tours and Night Tours.
• Those who like to stroll through various locations will find Mount Dora a perfect spot. Start at Lighthouse Park at the Port of Mount Dora, which features a 35-foot high working lighthouse reminiscent of New England and coastline lighthouses. Then travel to Palm Island and the longest lake boardwalk in the state. Those walking along this boardwalk may see alligators, herons, eagles, plus a woodland area of cypress, oaks, maples and palms.
• The Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse is a small theater, begun in 1948 by Mount Dora residents in a former ice house. Today, the facility has 270 seats and is a popular spot for a night out at the theater. Speaking of the arts, Mount Dora has a Center for the Arts, with fine gallery exhibits, educational programs, and every year, a fine-art auction, called The Art of the Deal.
• And the festivals! Mount Dora has a festival almost every month, drawing visitors and residents alike. Among them are Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza in January, where antique dealers come from all over the South. The Florida Storytelling Festival in February at the Lakeside Inn is nationally known, with workshops and storytelling concerts.
• Want an outdoor activity in February? Check out the Annual Arts Festival in the downtown or the Annual Scottish Highland Festival in Gilbert Park with bands and musicians’ performances. The Highland Games on the Saturday of the event is a highlight.
• March features the Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts and the Annual Sail Boat Regatta on Lake Dora. In April, two festivals—the Mount Dora Earth Day and the Mount Dora Blueberry Festival, featuring all things blueberry from fresh berries to wine bring visitors to the town. In May, The Mount Dora Taste and Craft Beer Fest takes center stage.
• In July, the town celebrates Independence Day with the Freedom on the Waterfront event, with live music, the Independence Day parade and, of course fireworks. August brings the Florida Highwaymen Art Show, Sale & Benefit.