Mount Dora History Museum

06/23/2026

This aerial photo of the Villa Dora Condominiums was taken by Rev. David Coffield from his plane in 1973, while the building was under construction. Thank you to David Coffield for donating 94 aerials that his father took to the Mount Dora Archives. City Archivist Erin Creel is working on creating a collection of the aerials, which will soon be available for viewing on the archives.

The Mount Dora Archives (www.MountDoraArchives.com) is a joint effort of the Mount Dora Historical Society, The Mount Dora Library Association and the City of Mount Dora. For more photos and history of Mount Dora, visit the www.MountDoraArchives.com.

06/20/2026

Upcoming fundraiser by 5th Avenue Revival group to raise funds to reopen the Princess Theatre. If you’re free that evening, here’s your chance to see H***y Tonk Freeway and support the cause.

06/18/2026

A huge ‘thank you’ to David Coffield for contacting us and sharing 94 aerials that his father Rev. David Coffield took (sometimes assisted by David) from his plane. They are a fascinating and invaluable collection of the town and surrounding area during that time period.

With the continuing donations from Mount Doran’s who lived here in the 1940s-1970s, we are able to document the history of that time period. Please check your old photos that might include the downtown area, a home in the background that is no longer here, or one that depicts life during that time period. We will scan and return photos to you.

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This aerial photograph was recently acquired in a collection of 94 aerial images, all captured by Rev. David Coffield, while flying in his personal aircraft over Lake County. This image depicts the Mount Dora Plaza on Old U.S. Highway 441 opposite the Golden Triangle Shopping Center, on or near opening day of the Food World in 1978. Food World was a chain owned by Publix Super Markets that offered lower costs to the public. Other stores in the plaza were a Shoecase, Eckerd Drug store, Hallmark cards, a book store and few other shops. This collection will be published in the Archives by the end of this month.

The Mount Dora Archives (www.mountdoraarchives.com) is a joint effort of the Mount Dora Historical Society, The Mount Dora Library Association and the City of Mount Dora. Learn more about Mount Dora’s history at your library and the Mount Dora History Museum.

06/17/2026

This past Sunday Eddie Barks (Mount Dora High School class of 1969) donated quite a few items of school memorabilia, including a trophy for most valuable baseball player in 1964. This is the first trophy in our school memorabilia collection. After graduating from college, Eddie went on to teach and coach at Mount Dora High School. A shout out to Eddie for thinking of us and donating the items from his youth. If you recognize anyone in the photos, leave their name in a comment and tag them.

06/15/2026

On this we unveiled a new historical marker on the Mount Dora Clinic building located at 334 N. Donnelly Street, currently the Marketplace building.

“Doctors S.C. Colley and A.E. Morse opened the Mount Dora Clinic in 1950 in this modern post World War Il style building. This era, along with this medical practice, marked a significant step in the delivery of healthcare. Doctors began to center their practices in dedicated clinics that included a reception area, waiting room and exam rooms. In 1953 Fred A. Vincenti, M.D. joined the clinic and specialized in surgery and proctology. The last generation of doctors to practice medicine in this building were Frederick Andrews, M.D. and Robert Crow, M.D. The Mount Dora Clinic closed its doors in 1995.”

Present for the reveal of the marker is: Leonard & Laura Vincenti, Joni Vincenti Dake, Lisa Dake Swatkowski, Brad Swatkowski, Rick & Mary Dake and Taylor Dake. David & Sharon Crow, Lisa & Mike Cox, David & Nanette Andrews, Historical Society Board Members Janet Westlake, Cathy Lunday, Carolyn Green, Susan Myers, City Archivist Erin Creel and Misty Sommer, Director of Economic Development.

The Mount Dora Archives (www.MountDoraArchives.com) is a joint effort of the Mount Dora Historical Society, The Mount Dora Library Association and the City of Mount Dora. For more photos and history of Mount Dora, visit the www.MountDoraArchives.com.

06/13/2026

You’re invited to join us this Sunday, June 14 at 2 pm at the W.T. Bland Public Library for our annual meeting, and for this fascinating presentation by author and historian Christopher Daley on the railroad that built Florida.

06/12/2026

Always keeping the beat…Clark Staton (Mount Dora High School class of 1968) dropped by the museum today with photos for us to scan. We enjoyed hearing the story of how his 30-year music career began in Mount Dora. Stay tuned for more details.

06/11/2026

Thank you to Neil Stoothoff for sharing this photo of the 1960 Mount Dora Jaycees Baseball team, which won the district championship for the Lake/Orange District, for the first time in 30 years.

Pictured from left to right on the first row: Art Dufour, Robert Smith, Herschel Barton, Eddie Barks, E.H. Shoemaker-manager, Jake Lynn, and Neal Durden

Second row: Bobby McCullough, Neil Stoothoff, Russell Shiver, Kenny Robinson, Cecil Barks, Frank Hall, Dwight Mosteller and Bobby Bowie.

Let us know if you recognize a family member in this championship team photo!

If you have old photos of Mount Dora, please let us scan them and return them to you. Contact us via Messenger.

06/09/2026

Join us this Sunday, June 14 at 2 pm at the W.T. Bland Public Library. This is going to be a fascinating presentation by author and historian Christopher Daley.

06/08/2026

On this we unveiled a new historical marker on the Lewis House located at 622 N. Donnelly Street, currently Tony’s Chowder House restaurant.

“Built in 1925, this bungalow was the home of Margaret Lewis, one of the first teachers at Educational Hall. She was a civic leader who was involved with the Woman's Club, the International Order of King's Daughters and the Congregational Church. She is also credited with the founding of the Mount Dora Library in 1905, which she helped manage, recruited librarians and advocated for larger quarters. Her house contributes to the character of the area through its bungalow-style architecture.”

Present for the reveal of the marker is left to right: Sr. City Planner Michele Janiszewski, Historical Society Board Member Sara Feller, City Archivist Erin Creel, Property owners Alice Simpson and her daughter Chantal Dalabona with Eric Jungklaus (restaurant owner) between them, City Councilman Doug Bryant and Mayor James Homich.

The Mount Dora Archives (www.MountDoraArchives.com) is a joint effort of the Mount Dora Historical Society, The Mount Dora Library Association and the City of Mount Dora. For more photos and history of Mount Dora, visit the www.MountDoraArchives.com.