Mount Dora in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Simpson Hotel

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

1. Simpson Hotel Marker

Inscription. In 1925, James Simpson built the Simpson Hotel as Mount Dora's first fireproof hotel. As part of the fireproofing, concrete, steel, and red brick were used in the building's construction. The electrical wiring was encased in water pipes with a protective covering of rubber and silk. During World War Il, a civil defense platform and radio transmitter were placed on the roof of the hotel for aircraft surveillance over Lake Dora. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the hotel's basement was designated as an official bomb shelter.

Erected 2025 by Mount Dora Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 28° 48.029′ N, 81° 38.707′ W. Marker is in Mount Dora, Florida, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of West 5th Avenue and North Donnelly Street, on the left when traveling west on West 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 W 5th Ave, Mount Dora FL 32757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and 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,

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: First National Bank of Mount Dora (a few steps from this marker); Princess Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Kimball’s Garage

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe Vann Simpson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. T.N. Lewis Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); John P. Donnelly House (within shouting distance of this marker); Annie Donnelly Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Dora Topic (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Dora.

Also see . . .
1. A Sign of Mount Dora’s Past. (Submitted on November 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. History of Mount Dora. (Submitted on November 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. New Project Highlights Mona Dora’s Historic Buildings. (Submitted on November 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

2. Simpson Hotel Marker

Simpson Hotel Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

3. Simpson Hotel Sign

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Simpson Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 4. submitted on November 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.