J.P. Donnelly was the first mayor of Mt. Dora.
Entering downtown Mt. Dora, we're at 5th Avenue & Donnelly Street.
Mt. Dora City Hall
Darst Victorian Manor overlooking Lake Dora
Lake Dora
Mount Dora was founded in 1874. Ancient oak trees line the streets that weave through 19th century clapboard houses and serene, country-style residential neighborhoods. Located 25 miles northwest of Orlando, Mount Dora is a city of parks.
Entering downtown Mt. Dora, we're at 5th Avenue & Donnelly Street.
Mt. Dora City Hall
Darst Victorian Manor overlooking Lake Dora
Lake Dora
Horses are in abundance, but there's much more to see in the Ocala area.
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Just east of Ocala we see the Ocala National Forest. The forest contains many lakes & protected wildlife.
This is beautiful Lake Eaton.
Here we see the Old Mill House which had to be abandoned when the U.S. Government declared the Ocala National Forest a protected area.
We are now in the Silver Springs area, which is only 8 miles east of Ocala.
In the early 1500's, Timucuan Indians settled in the area around Silver Springs. Later the Seminole Indians replaced them. When the U.S. Government attempted to move the Seminoles from Florida to reservations in the western U.S. in 1835, Chief Osceola & the Seminoles retreated to the Florida swamps. Chief Osceola literally slashed the peace treaty presented to him & that single act gained him the respect of many Indian tribes. Many joined Osceola's forces in future battles against the United States.
The photo below shows several Seminoles, c. 1952. The next photo was taken in 1932 (both photos were colorized). The man in the yellow shirt is Charlie Cypress. The woman on the far left is Josie Billie.
Glass bottom boats offer an amazing view of the underwater life in the 99.8% pure Silver River. Invented in Silver Springs in 1878, they tour seven major spring formations.
All of the glass bottom boats are named in honor of the Indian leaders who fought in Florida during the
We're headed to Sarasota and the west coast of Florida. JUDY is going to be our designated driver once we arrive. On our way, we will pass LAKE OKEECHOBEE. Lake Okeechobee is 730 square miles in size & abuts 5 Florida counties. It is the second largest natural lake in the United States & provides South Florida's fresh drinking water.
Thank you, JUDY, for welcoming us to
Sarasota has long been considered the cultural capital of Florida. The Ringlings & other wealthy families made Sarasota their winter playground. The city offers world-class museums, theaters & a cultural calendar which rivals many metropolitan areas. It is considered a haven for artists, thespians & musicians, and offers beautiful Sarasota Bay and its beach.
The Marie Selby Gardens offer thousands of lush and exotic flora on 8 1/2 acres. This is the entrance to the museum.
Circus Sarasota is the legacy of legendary circus magnate John Ringling.
Along the Caloosahatchee River, where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico, we find
One of Fort Myers' most well-known residents was Thomas Alva Edison. In 1886 Mr. Edison made this "City of Palms" his winter home.
Another famous winter resident was Henry Ford. His estate was next door to that of Edison, and they shared a long-lasting friendship.
The Fort Myers Historical Museum covers the history of Southwest Florida, offering an original Spanish cannon, artifacts of the Calusa & Seminole Indians, etc.
Two more pictures of lovely Fort Myers and we'll be headed to the east coast.
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