Oak Queen Anne Bench
Jul/100
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Hello From Orlando – Part 9: Exploring Scenic Mount Dora On The Herbie Express
In my quest to find unusual destinations to visit in the Orlando area, I stumbled upon a little town with the name of Mount Dora about 45 minutes north of Orlando. I had read that was a very picturesque small town located in a lake, and one of its main attractions was a railroad staging.
Mount Dora is only 27 miles or 43 km northwest of Orlando. It has an elevation 184 feet above Lake Dora, which makes only Florida "mountain village above." In fact the rolling hillsides and winding roads are a feature unique welcome the generally flat topography of Florida.
Mount Dora's history dates back to the 1800s. In 1846 Lake Dora was named for Dora Ann Drawdy. She and her husband homesteaded two miles south of Mount Dora. In 1880 the first name of the city was Royellou, named after the three sons of Posts RC Tremain – Roy, Ella, and Louis.
Then in 1883 the city was renamed Mount Dora. Incorporated as a city in 1910 with 370 residents, the city now has a population of about 10,000 people. The first railroad service through Mount Dora began in 1887 and in 1915 there were two passenger trains daily in each direction. At a time when citrus the main industry in the area, with a large shipment of Mount Dora, while today Mount Dora important industry is tourism.
According to the House Local of Commerce, the city also has a number of claims to fame, including:
– The small town friendly
– Shopping Best Old
– New England South
– City Parks
– Festival City
– Top 100 American cities
– Best Romantic Escape
– Money Magazine "Best places to live today "
What drew me here personally was the ride on the express "Herbie", part of the railway, inland lakes, located in Mount Dora and Eustis, Florida. The trip I went to a one-hour ride by train between Mount Dora and Wooton Park in Tavares. We went on a Pullman sleeper car was built in 1949 which was later refunctioned as a passenger car.
The route initially takes you along Lake Dora and then continues through malls past, and suburban residences. A young conductor explained the local sights to us and kept us entertained. Lake Eustis / Mount Dora Railway also features other train rides, such as the Lake County Champion, the Blue Swan Dinner Train, and the Magnolia Sun Lunch Train. The Lake County Champion round trip is 2 hours and 20 minutes, with an opportunity for a short visit in Eustis to enjoy Ferran Park and area shops.
The oldest structure in Mount Dora is the Lakeside Inn, established in 1883. It has a wrap porch, gingerbread trim and a sloping roof crowned with a corner tower. The grounds are beautifully landscaped.
Many of the walks and runs through this picturesque town car home in the former Atlantic Coast Line Depot 1915, home of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce since 1973. Mount Dora's most renowned architectural jewel is the Donnelly House. This structure uses Queen Anne-style design elements characteristic of the era Victorian.
The Donnelly House was built in 1893 by John Phillip Donnelly, the first mayor of Mount Dora. The home sits on Donnelly Street within walking distance of downtown Mount Dora. The Donnelly House is just one of many restored 19th and early 20th century buildings in the Golden Triangle area.
This charming small town has a large number of specialty retailers and is one of the largest antiques and collectibles of the Florida schools. Twin Markets Renninger is famous for its shops antiques. The city also boasts a wide variety of gift shops, fashion boutiques, decorative art galleries, interesting restaurants and cafes and as bed and breakfast.
One of my favorite features of this city, which also refers to itself as "City of Parks" are the many public green spaces by water. Donnelly Park, located downtown, dating back to 1924, offers free concerts and other civic events. The park also has a tennis court and shuffleboard.
After my demanding stroll through the winding streets of Mount Dora walked to the coast of Evans Park, which is located opposite the lighthouse. The view from the bench facing the sea was magnificent and I relaxed on the bench as I absorbed the sunlight. The park is adjacent to the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club one of the largest in the United States. Its 300 members of the association welcomes local and regional tournaments.
Simpson Cove and Grantham Point are adjacent to Palm Island Park and feature the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. This lighthouse was built of bricks and donated by local residents. Gilbert Park features a boat ramp public picnic area, croquet court and a playground along Alexander Creek.
Palm Island Park features a 1700 foot fresh water and boardwalk trail through oak trees covered with Spanish moss. other wildlife, including bald eagles, and local plants can be admired here indidgenous too.
The City hosts many major annual events like the popular "Mount Dora Arts Festival." This event attracts more than 150,000 people each year and has been ranked among the best examples of art in the country. Other events include the Old Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Golf Tournament, Festival Bicycle Crafts Fair and Plant and Garden Fair.
While I was exploring this charming town, my husband played golf at the Golf Association of Mount Dora. Played a beautifully manicured full size 18 hole and $ 18 including cart, this trip was a real bargain. The Mount Dora area also offers a variety of fields golf, including the Black Bear Golf Club, the Country Club of Mount Dora, Deer Island Golf Club, Dunes Golf Course Eagle, Heathrow Country Estates Redtail Golf Course, Golf Hotel & Resort Mission Tennis Club and Pine Meadows in the country.
I ended my explorations with a delicious ice cream late in the afternoon on the patio the Sun Mountain Bakery, soaking up the sun while waiting to hear about the adventures of my husband's golf. Mount Dora is a great day trip from Orlando we enjoyed our trip back across the field of rural Florida.
For more information about Mount Dora you can visit the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce website.
To read the full article, including photos, please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_mount_dora.htm
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