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

First City Firehouse & Jail

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

1. First City Firehouse & Jail Marker

Inscription. Mount Dora's first firehouse was built in 1923 on property donated by John P. Donnelly. Soon after, five single jail cells were added to the East side of the building. In 1941, the fire department moved to a larger location, but the jail stayed and was expanded by four double cells. The jail closed in 1969. The building is owned by the Mount Dora Historical Society, organized in 1953, and has been used as a museum since 1978.

Erected 2025 by Mount Dora Historical Society East.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 28° 48.003′ N, 81° 38.649′ W. Marker is in Mount Dora, Florida, in Lake County. It is on Royellou 0.1 miles south of Royellou Lane, on the left when traveling south. The Marker is attached to the exterior wall of the first city firehouse and jail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Royellou Lane, 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: Rehbaum Warehouse (a few steps from this marker); Mount Dora Topic (within shouting distance of this marker); Lakes and Hills Realty Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank Of Mount Dora

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Rephbaum Hardware (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); Kimball’s Garage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Dora.

Also see . . .
1. Mount Dora’s Historic Fire. (Submitted on November 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Mount Dora’s Historic Fire. (Submitted on November 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

2. First City Firehouse & Jail Marker

First City Firehouse & Jail Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

3. First City Firehouse & Jail Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.