Northeast Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

John R. Mott House Site

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 8, 2017

1. John R. Mott House Site Marker

Inscription.

Built in 1920, the former house at 528 E. Washington Street was once home to Nobel Peace Prize winner John Raleigh Mott (1869-1955). As general secretary of the National War Work Council, a World War I era Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) program, Mott received the Distinguished Service Medal for his relief work for prisoners of war. Mott served as general secretary of the YMCA International Committee from 1915-1928 and president of the YMCA World Committee from 1926-1937. As a leader of many civic and Christian organizations, he traveled abroad and delivered thousands of speeches. He averaged 34 days a year on the ocean for 50 years and crossed the Atlantic over 100 times and the Pacific 14 times. Known to travel plainly, he refused a ticket on the Titanic to sail instead on a less extravagant ship. Mott received honorary degrees from six universities including Yale, Edinburgh, Princeton, and Brown. His numerous international honors, awards, and designations included recognition from China, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Siam, Sweden, and the United States. Mott

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his humanitarian work. (Continued on other side) Reverse: (Continued from other side) John Mott retired to Orlando in 1938 and bought the one-story bungalow at this site. Over the course of his career, Mott wrote sixteen books and delivered thousands of speeches. During his retirement, he compiled volumes of his speeches, letters, and papers. The compilations included correspondence with prominent American and International philanthropists and political and religious leaders. In 1952, Mott’s wife Lelia White died. They had married in 1891 and had four children. After her death, Mott married Agnes Peter, a descendant of Martha Washington. Following his death in Orlando on January 31, 1955, Mott’s family donated his collected works to the Yale Divinity School Library where it fills 230 archival boxes that occupy 95 linear feet of shelf space. These papers provide information and insight regarding individuals and religious movements from 1880-1955. The bungalow Mott lived in was demolished in 2013 to provide additional space for Lake Eola Park. John Mott was interred in St. Joseph’s

John R. Mott House Site Marker reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 8, 2017

2. John R. Mott House Site Marker reverse

Chapel of the Washington National Cathedral. He remains locally and internationally renowned for his accomplishments and leadership.

Erected 2016 by Oscar J. Nollet Family, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the Van Dusen-Wheeler Family and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-932.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Medal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 28° 32.609′ N, 81° 22.2′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. It is in Northeast Orlando. It is at the intersection of North Eola Drive and East Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on North Eola Drive. Marker is on the eastern side of Lake Eola Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orlando FL 32801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

John R. Mott House Site Marker and surrounding area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 8, 2017

3. John R. Mott House Site Marker and surrounding area

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Orlando Reeves (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Lest We Forget" (about 300 feet away); Simon Bolivar (about 400 feet away); Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (about 400 feet away); Jose P. Rizal (about 400 feet away); Mohandas K. Gandhi (about 400 feet away); J. P. Musselwhite & Family (about 600 feet away); Florida Welcomes Walt Disney (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orlando.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Soldiers, The Sailors, The Statesmen (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Former location of the John R. Mott House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 8, 2017

4. Former location of the John R. Mott House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,359 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.