Well I’m back and so are you and we’re almost to Mt. Dora a fun place to visit
So let’s get going
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One of the prettiest town in Florida, Mount Dora is a storybook village of gingerbread…lakeside inns and 19th-century ambience. The downtown sector boasts brick and wrought iron structures, New England touches, one of the state’s poudest antique store districts and a mountainous Florida elevation of 184′. Stop at the…Chamber of Commerce (341 Alexander Street) housed in a restored railroad station, for a guide to the area’s…shops and historic homes.
Hidden Florida
Ray Reigert Editor
so we’re back on 46 where we left off last time in Sorrento:
The first settlers were former slaves who came here some time after they were released by Union soldiers during the Civil War reportedly from the Delk plantation in Rock Springs. While some settled about a mile north of Sorrento on Rock Springs Road, other signed up to fight for the Union Army, though those who survived returned to their families after the conflict was over. Records show 3 families: the Weirs, the Fraziers and Jenkins who reportedly still have descents in the area.
White settler a Mr. Lyon came to this area in 1875 when it was still part of Orange County. In 1887 Lake county was created and included this former area of Orange (Sanford and Seminole Co also use to be part of Orange) with Tavares becoming the county seat. Other early settlers were the Butts family from Missouri who homesteaded 1 1/2 miles west of the current post office.
A Mr. Gill developed a route with a horse and wagon between Mt. Dora and Mellonville (eventually Sanford) where he would pick up grocery lists and outgoing mail (blowing a horn so that settlers off the beaten path wouldn’t miss him), returning with groceries and incoming mail. He make the round trip once a week.
The town’s growth continue with a hotel, small store, houses and planted citrus groves as well as town hall, two churches and a pubic cemetery. The growth was spurred by a stop on the Railroad from Sanford to Tavares.
But then came the Big Freeze in 1893 and 94 which destroyed the trees (some reportedly exploding when the sudden freeze hit the sap laden citrus fruit.) Many left the land never to return….but eventually the area returned to functioning groves and packing houses until another freeze in the area in the 1980’s which finally destroyed the citrus industry in the area (and most of Central Florida) for good. The town is now the quiet off the beaten path place that is so pleasantly welcoming after the crowded highways and city streets of the metro area so common in much of Central Florida.
Among the showiest of these regally preserved mansions is the Donnelly House (Donnelly St. between 5th & 6th Aves) an ornate fantasy castle in Steamboat Gothic style, accented with stained glass and hand carved trim. Built in 1893 for on of the city’s founds, it is now used as a Masonic Lodge. Across the street, shady Donnelly Park…
Hidden Florida
$4.99 Buy It Now
https://www.ebay.com/itm/263896891281
Before we go into Mt. Dora proper those of you that like flea markets and antiques will want to take a side trip on 441…now the old overpass is gone—well most of it—the the disconnected part bridging 46 still stands but until construction is completed, there is no way to get to it…so continue under it to the light just on the other side (it says 441) and turn right. following 441 you’ll eventually come to on your right.
Renninger’s Florida Twin Markets
20651 US-441
Mount Dora, FL 32757
Flea and Farmer’s Market Hours
Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 4 pm
Antique Center Hours
Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Consignment Center Hours
Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County, the heart of Central Florida; amid spreading oaks, garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches, you will find Renninger’s Twin Markets in Mt. Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open-air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors, to high-quality antiques and collectibles.
Renninger’s Twin Markets are also home to a large number of special events including antique fairs and extravaganzas, Cars and Guitars shows and swap meets, vintage garden shows, and much, much more. Check at this site for the upcoming events to better plan your visit
https://renningers.net/index.php/special-events/month.calendar/2018/09/24/-
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Housed downtown in the old city firehouse and jail block, Royellou Museum
between 4th and 5th Aves—on the Alley before Donnelly.
Hidden Florida
return back on 441 to the light you turned at to get to Renningers and this time turn right continueing on 46
When you enter Mt. Dora Route 46 becomes
East First Ave…continue on till you come to the Highland (there’s a light)
you can turn left — where you’ll find:
Highland Street Cafe
185 S. Highland St
Mount Dora, FL
Hours:
7:00 am to 2pm everyday
Home of the Nell Burger and all day breakfasts
Ken’s Amish Deli & Baker
http://kensamishmarket.com/
They serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and have Cincinnati chili, fresh-from-the-oven cookies, homemade fruit cobbler, genuine Wisconsin cream puffs, Reuben sandwich,
As well as Amish meats and cheeses by the pound at the Deli
If you continue awhile more on Highland you’ll come to
Mount Dora Golf Club
http://www.mountdoragolf.com/
Otherwise once you’re finished check out these two very different food (and deli) places turn back the way you came on S. Highland.
In 1925 well-known architect James Gamble Rogers designed the 3-story Simpson Hotel (115-117 W. 5h) as a rental property for James Simpson, president of the First National Bank. His tenants included a realtor and vineyard owner, Western Union, a dentist, photographer, chapters of the Knights of Phythias and Phythian Sisters, and the Mount Dora Café. Rogers also designed the building next door the two story First National Bank for Simpson. Its lavish appointments of Alabama marble, mahogany, brass and bronze raised its construction price to $30,000. The bank, which operated the building until 1964, featured a private room for omen to do their banking and a vault with 300 safe deposit boxes.
Walking Places in Florida
by Diane Marsshall
Next week we’ll continue on Highland and into downtown Mt. Dora—see you then
