Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a city located in Lake County Florida.  The city is located less than 25 miles Northwest from Orlando and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.  In July 2008 the population was estimated at 12,869 by the U.S. Census Bureau.  This is a 36.6% increase from the population in 2000 showing this city is growing because people are finding out how amazing it really is to live here.  There are plenty of annual festivals, many lakes and parks plus the history of the area gives residents many reasons to enjoy life in Mount Dora.

Mount Dora was first settled in 1874 but did not experience real growth until 1887 when the railroad came to the town.  With this construction complete the town grew and the local economy flourished.  Lots of goods and tourists now easily came to the area.  In wintertime especially people flocked to the town to go hunting or fishing in the pristine outdoors the area still has to this day.  The town was officially incorporated in 1910 and a railway depot was built in 1915 showing the growth this town was having in such a little time period.  Many presidents have visited the area including Calvin Coolidge and Dwight D Eisenhower.  Now the city is thriving and known for its abundance of antique and craft shops.  What was once a settlement near a lake is now a lakefront city hidden in Central Florida that still maintains the original charm.

Mount Dora has so many annual festivals and community events you can spend all your weekends going to them.  No matter what month it is there is always a new and exciting event to be had by someone of any age.  Some of the more popular events are:

• Renniger’s Antique Extravaganza – Third weekend of January, February, and November
• Annual Arts Festival – First weekend in February
• Mount Dora Music Festival – Third weekend in February
• Festival of Reading – Third weekend of March
• Village Antique Festival – Last weekend in March
• Sailboat Regatta – First weekend in April
• Annual Taste of Mount Dora – First weekend in May
• Old fashioned 4^th of July Celebration – July 4^th
•  Annual Bicycle Festival – Second weekend in October
• Annual Craft Festival – Fourth weekend in October
• Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair – First weekend in November
• Light Up Mount Dora – Saturday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Walk – First weekend in December
• Christmas Parade – First weekend in December
• Lighted Boat Parade – First weekend in December

There are more events going on throughout the year but those are the most popular ones.  Every third weekend of the month there is an antique fair also for the 9 months that Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza is not going on.  The Mount Dora Library Association has many events it sponsors throughout the year as well.  The Sail Boat Regatta held is April is the oldest sailing regatta in Florida and the Bicycle Festival is biggest and oldest one in the state as well.  No matter what you enjoy Mount Dora has a festival for it and every festival creates a great atmosphere for all whom attend.

There are not any colleges in Mount Dora but many are just a close drive.  If you have a student who would like to commute to classes or looking for a place to live while enrolled Mount Dora can provide you a great place to live and still be close enough to make it to classes.  The colleges are:

• Lake Sumter Community College
• University of Phoenix Orlando Campus
• Rollins College
• Seminole Community Campus
• Stetson University
• Valencia Community College
• University of Central Florida
• Central Florida Community College

Mount Dora is home to many great parks and lakes.  From the beginning of Mount Dora, people vacationed on the train to fish in the lakes here or experience the woods.  Today that option is still available and utilized.   The chain of lakes that connect to Mount Dora go all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and provide amazing fishing opportunities. Some of these great places are:

• Lake Franklin
• Lake John
• Lake Tem
• Lake Gertrude
• Gilbert Park
• Donnelly Park

The city also offers many playgrounds and amenities to its residents.  Whether it is racquetball, tennis, shuffleboard, croquet, or a nature walk Mount Dora has it at the recreation center or one of the parks.  Even a lighthouse stands for all to see here and admire. 

Mount Dora offers residents many great things and the population has grown recently showing that people have become aware all Mount Dora has to offer.  The history of Mount Dora came from the railroad providing opportunity for expansion but the area did not stop growing long ago.  Today the town offers lots of festivals and many have rich pasts being held annually for decades.  Mont Dora has become a niche area because of the varied antique dealers and more than any other place in Florida.  Many tourists come to see the area giving revenue to the town and providing money to upkeep all the amazing sights, green spaces, and the city itself.  Mount Dora is close enough to commute to Orlando but far enough away to have the feel of a small peaceful area.