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

Monroe Vann Simpson Building

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 30, 2025

1. Monroe Vann Simpson Building Marker

Inscription. This building was constructed circa 1919 by Monroe V. and Martha Simpson for their grocery business. It is one of the downtown districts oldest buildings. Monroe managed the grocery store while Martha managed the dry goods store next door, and they lived in the apartment above this building until 1926. Mr. Simpson was active in the development of Mount Dora. He served as a school trustee, alderman when the town was incorporated, city council member for two terms, mayor for four terms, president of the Bank of Mount Dora, and county commissioner for 12 years.

Erected 2025 by Mount Dora Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 28° 48.024′ N, 81° 38.678′ W. Marker is in Mount Dora, Florida, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of North Donnelly Street and East 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Donnelly Street. The marker is attached to the exterior wall of the Matamo Designs building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 North Donnelly St, 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: Kimball’s Garage (a few steps from this marker); Lakes and Hills Realty Company (within shouting

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distance of this marker); First National Bank of Mount Dora (within shouting distance of this marker); Annie Donnelly Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Dora Topic (within shouting distance of this marker); Simpson Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. T.N. Lewis Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank Of Mount Dora (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Dora.

Also see . . .
1. New Project Highlights Mona Dora’s Historic Buildings. (Submitted on November 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. History of Mount Dora. (Submitted on November 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Monroe Vann Simpson Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.