Every Community has a story

History Every community has a history History History is the story of what has happened in a place

The Beginnings The story often begins even before the community has a name. It may start long before there are buildings or streets.

Mount Dora, Florida The community of Mount Dora has a history that begins long time ago. It starts with the first Americans, known as Native Americans or American Indians. The Timucua Indians lived in the area around Mount Dora, Florida.

Mount Dora, Florida The Timucuas used bows and arrows to hunt animals and spears to catch fish. They were also farmers, growing corn, beans, pumpkin, and squash.

Who are the first people to live in the place where Mount Dora, Florida is now?

Who are the first people to live in the place where Mount Dora, Florida is now? The Timucua Indians

Mount Dora, Florida Long ago, the surveyors, or people who measure land visited the area around Mount Dora. Dora Ann Drawdy, who was living there, gave the surveyors food. Some people say that the surveyors named Lake Dora for her.

Mount Dora, Florida A pioneer is someone who helps settle a new land. David Simpson was one of the first pioneers to arrive. Simpson and other early settlers started the citrus industry, by growing oranges. Citrus fruits also include grapefruit, lemons, limes, and tangerines.

Mount Dora, Florida Some of the people who live and near Mount Dora today have ancestors who were early citrus farmers or business people. An ancestor is someone in a person’s family, such as a great-great grandparent, who lived long time ago.

How did the people who settled the land around Mount Dora make their living?

How did the people who settled the land around Mount Dora make their living? By working in the citrus industry

The early pioneers were the founders of or the people who started the settlement that later became Mount Dora Founders are people who started the settlement . Settlement is the new community

Changes Over Time Once the railroad reached Mount Dora, the area began to grow and change. The railroad carried visitors to Mount Dora and helped orange growers ship their fruit to other parts of the country. At first, Mount Dora had two general stores: Hardware store Drugstore A school Two churches A town hall

Changes Over Time Over time, the settlement of Mount Dora grew from just a few homes to a town. Soon the town had telephone service, automobiles, and electricity.

Mount Dora In the last thirty years, people have gone to Mount Dora for many reasons. In the past, people have moved from northern United States to escape the cold winter weather. Now, people visit Mount Dora on day trips. They like to shop and go for walks in this scenic town. People who live in Mount Dora take part in bicycling, boating, and golfing.

Mount Dora People of different ethnic groups live in Mount Dora today. Their ancestors came from different countries around the world. They all have stories about how they came to live and work in Mount Dora.