About Mount Dora: Fun and Interesting Local Facts

Mount Dora has a lively and fascinating past, going back as far as the Civil War. There are many historical sites to see while you are in town. Be sure to save a day for a walking tour of the historical areas of town.

• Lake Dora is named after Dora Ann Drawdy who settled here in 1846 with her husband, James Drawdy.

• Mount Dora was originally named Royellou after the children of Postmaster Ross Tremain:  Roy, Ella & Louis.  The city's name was changed to Mount Dora in 1883.

• The Dora Canal was actually the Elfin River.  It was widened in 1880 by Alexander St. Claire Abrams to make room for small steamboats.  At that time, the name was changed from Elfin River to Dora Canal.

• Col. J. M. Alexander established the first general store. 

• J.P. Donnelly became the first mayor in 1910.

• Best selling author of "Think & Grow Rich", Napoleon Hill, resided in Mount Dora in the late 30's, early 40's.

• The entire town was painted pink in 1981 when part of the movie Honky Tonk Freeway was filmed here.

• An elephant named Bubbles has water-skied Lake Dora ... also part of the Honky Tonk Freeway