TheMount Dora Historical Society
Mount Dora (Lake County) Florida
a non profit 501(c)(3) education organization
Mount Dora Historical Society
450 Royellou Lane
PO Box 1166
Mount Dora, FL 32757
ph: (352) 383-0006
mountdor
The Cemetery Project
Mount Carmel ~ Simpson Cemetery
~
Re-discovery and Restoration project
Located:
Next to the Main Parking lot of
Saint Patrick's Catholic
Community Church
6803 Old Highway 441
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
(the white pillars and chain entrance by dumpsters)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The dead lie beneath a fifty year layer of peat moss, fallen tree trunks and branches, some tombstones shattered or lost to vandalism and their names long lost. Funereal items buried beneath the layers once provided reverence to some graves of workers of a citrus grove, former slaves, sharecroppers,three young brothers who died from a lightning strike, a women who laundered towels for the Mount Dora Community Center and some who helped forge the building of this area,lay unmarked, untended and unrevered as days and years go by by with only fallen leaves or branches touching their legacies"
~Jim Burroughs, Mount Dora, Florida~
Dedication Ceremony Saturday
November 20th 2010 10:00am
The dedication ceremony for the newly restored Mount Carmel - Simpson Cemetery was held Saturday, November 20th 2010 at 10 am at the cemetery grounds,accessible from the parking lot of St. Patrick's Catholic Community Church, 6803 Old Highway 441 South, Mount Dora.
The event marked the completion of initial renovation and discovery work of the historic landmark cemetery and was highlighted by the reading of narratives of some of the interred in the following order...
Louvonne Pool read by Estella Chatman
Mike Dunn read by Ed Torrence
Angeline Dunn read by Doris Ferguson
Ben Cooper read by Paxton Sommer
Ed Cooper read by Jared Moore
Woodrow Cooper read by Vincent Moore
Mable Harlley read by Kalie Williamson
Robert Gamble read by Gary Hickson
Ben Bennefield read by Ed Torrence
Jesse Fletcher read by Bob Ferguson
Leroy Brittain read by Paston Sommer
Annte Pierson read by Rosa Hickson
Rufus Knight read by Bob Ferguson
William Dawson read by Gary Hickson
Julia D. Mitchell read by Phyllis Everett
Dora Fletcher read by Carrie Jackson
additional Nov 20th ceremony photos in process
one of the "before" photograph
Mount Carmel~Simpson Cemetery Dedication Ceremony November 20th 2010 10:00am
The Mount Dora Historical Society, Mount Dora, Florida, a 501 (C)-3 nonprofit organization, conducted a Cemetery Rehabilitation Dedication Ceremony for the Mount Carmel/Simpson Cemetery Rehabilitation Project on Saturday November 20th at 10:00am
The ceremony is to acknowledge the known and in this historic African-American cemetery, as well as to heighten the awareness of descendants and friends. With historical accounts and readings of relatives and friends to let the tales be heard. An ecumenical ceremony will be provided by St Patrick's Community Church.
The project will yield significant documentation, and will chronicle the stories of those who lie in the cemetery graves. We intend to build a historical account of the significance of this cemetery, whose origin is traced back to the late 1890s, and which was the final resting place for workers of the Simpson Orange Grove and others from the Mount Dora and Tangerine area.
Narratives of decedents are being compiled currently.
Names from deeds and documents so far include: Simpson Cemetery, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hilltop Cemetery, Hill Cemetery
Up to now, the Historical Society's research team, headed by Deborah A. Burchill, has established that the burials are from as early as the 1880s, with some dated as late as 1962. The researchers have ascertained ownership of the area And the Sam Sadler grounds operations team has cleared it of the dangerous trees, overgrowth that was making it inaccessible to those of limited mobility. This has made it possible to proceed with ground penetrating radar and further clearing.
The project is supported by Community Trust of Mount Dora and the Northeast Black History Committee, Mount Dora, Inc., and made possible by in-kind donations by sponsors: Sam Sadler Builders, Obsessively Organized Personnel Affairs, and Southeastern Surveying of Orlando, and other benefactors that have donated upwards of $20,000 in services.Andrew Mullen, Project Manager began the initiative after hearing of relatives of some of the interred had limited or no access ability for visitation.
A major milestone is the unprecedented partnering with the Mount Dora High School History Department and two Boy Scout Troops to provide clearing assistance and archeological assistance.
Currently bench sponsorship is sought and is limited to 8 benches to aid in the funding and provide the needed accoutrements for proper visitation of the cemetery.
(202) 558-6351
or email royellou@gmail.com
A brief background on the genesis of the cemeteryby James Laux
The cemetery was created sometime in the 1880's. Milton Simpson, a white man, came to Georgia and then northern Florida in the 1850's. He married Mary Vance who lived across the Aucilla River in Jefferson County Florida, they married and started a plantation in Jefferson County, eventually worked by some 100 black slaves.
Things did not go so well after the Civil War. Milton's son, David, ventured south to look for good and cheap land. In a wagon pulled by horses and with his wife and two children, he arrived in what became Sanford, FL. in 1874. The family stayed there, while David rode about, looking over the territory. To the west he came to Lake Dora. He liked the eastern shore and the high terrain, a rare occurrence in Florida.
Simpson filed for a homestead of 160 acres in August of 1874. He persuaded his father to come south also, and in the next year Milton Simpson filed for a homestead about a mile southeast of his son's. The Simpsons engaged in farming, corn, hogs, cotton and later oranges. They also did a good business lumbering the long leaf pine trees that grew everywhere in the area. When someone from the black community of workers died, they were buried in this cemetery because they were not allowed in the Mount Dora community cemetery on Donnelly Street.
Land Management associate, Ken Lanier has discovered a gravestone that reads:
Rufus Knight
Florida
Pvt Co. D 550 Engineering Svc BN
World War I
April 15,1897 - Dec 13th, 1960
The 550 Engineering Battalion was an African-American Engineering Battalion, of the AEF, (American Expeditionary Force) deployed in France during WWI
Recently we have discovered Julia D.Mitchell born 1900 ~ Died 1962, the most recent grave known and previously known as grave #35
Research Director Deborah A. Burchill is working on genealogical and records search and discovery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark Abbott, surveyor and metal detection technician for the cemetery project has reported the finding of 3 more metal grave markers from the mid century possibly indicating the existence of graves... he will investigate in the coming days and report his findings....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mount Dora Community Trust has informed the project team they have approved a phase I grant of $4,500 that will pay for past due bills and upcoming project of the gazebo and reflection area.. The monies will cover costs associated with the hazardous tree removal.
Updates & Upcoming Activities
Cemetery rehabilitation & discovery completion ceremony
Saturday November 20th
The Saturday May 22nd, 2010 Rehabilitation Commencement Ceremony for the Mount Carmel/Simpson Cemetery Rehabilitation Projectwas attended by over 60 people
(scroll to bottom of page for some photos)
05/12/10 GPR Experts James Hardee & Ryan Jeffers identify 12 new graves and map the cemetery for comparison with the Hoeschst-Sadler team findings
05/06/10 - 04/07/10 dangerous tree removal by Sadler land clearing team
05/05/10 The Sadler~Burchill investigative team just discovered 10 marked graves in the fern field.
05/08/10 Mount Dora High School clean up and investigative work(Marlene Straughan data collection coordinator)
St Patrick's Community Church Boy Scout Troop 277 Cleanup work date Saturday May 8th, 9am-3pm
05/01/10 Boy Scout Troop 101 South Orlando, work date Saturday9am-3pm
04/02/10 - 04/05/10 dangerous tree removal
Media Coverage
November 1st 2010 ~ Channel 9 Eyewitness News
July 21st 2010 ~ Orlando Sentinel
May 19th 2010 ~ Orlando Sentinel
May 18th 2010 ~ Daily Commercial
Untended sector of Dunn Family plot area.Mike was employed by Atlantic Coast Lines rail road and the Mount Dora Post Office.
Known Interred Information
With our current number of identified graves being 57, 11 are identified with existing markers and 2 determined through corroborative facts and findings. The following are known interred.
~
Mike Dunn
Angeline Dunn
Robert Gamble
Emmaline Green
Johnnie Gaines
Lonnie Gaines
Sam Gaines
Wilson Green
Jesse Fletcher
Dora Fletcher
Jesse Burley
Louvone Pool
William Bowman
Bud Bennefield
Mable Harlley
William Dawson
Annte Pierson
Leroy Brittian
Julia D.Mitchell
Rufus Knight
Annie (Annte Pierson)
Woodrow Cooper
Ed Cooper
Ben Cooper
Thomas Tucker
Floyd Williams
Catherine Williams
looking East from parking lot into uncleared cemetery
An area cleared in preparation for the Ground Penetrating Radar process.
A special project of the Mount Dora Historical Society which seeks to provide reverence to those interred and a safe environment for relatives and friends to visit as well as preserving the resting place of many who helped build Mount Dora.
Personal interviews of relatives of those interred will provide a chronicle of some and a historical record of the cemetery.
Commemoration of donors and volunteers with historical reference plaques, benches and entry point creation and other accoutrements based on donation levels will be provided.
Project tasks completed
- Extensive hazardous tree removal, pruning and removal of non indigenous vegetation. Completed by Sam Sadler III and his clearing team
- Genealogical, historical research services being provided by Mount Dora High School AP Social Studies 9th & 10th grade classes of teacher Marlene Straughan
- Research and archiving metadata documentation GIS Database (geodatabase) to assist with data layer creation and linking of photos and other documents for the site.
- Interred family member locating via public notices, legal notices, genealogical research, public records and private searching in progress by High School team and we are open to more sources
- Ground penetrating radar for grave identification, GPR (ground penetrating radar)and mapping services provided by Southeastern Surveying, Orlando, FL
- Commemorative and informational signage and plaques, road signage: Being evaluated and we are seeking assistance.
- Docent, caretaker and maintenance volunteer positions by volunteers to be named at a later date
As we post pictures we hope that relatives or friends of relatives will contact us for access and visitation and further information gathering
As our genealogical volunteers progress with family charts or ancestry connections, the Mount Dora Historical Society and other groups will try to build biographies and or in life accounts of those interred at the Simpson, Mount
.The compilation of these stories will then be published in a booklet to try to chronicle the lives of these individuals.
Above is a grave marker for Johnnie Gaines. 1905-1958, Johnson Funeral Home (now defunct)
Hand carved headstone of William Bowmon who lived to 110 years old.
Unidentified grave vault
Note below picture of same vault from different angle showing the extensive clearing of non indigenous vegetation and dangerous tree limbs.
~~~
Unorganized plot markers that will soon be relocated once the grave plot grid system is deciphered
some of the more recent headstones
Before and during clearing by Sam Sadler's clearing phase, (fallen tree trunks and debris pile has been removed.
Found exactly as shown after removing non indigenous, non flowering brush, this is the first marker of this design we have found, note iron plant holder and plastic flower petals from mid century or 1960's
Sunken grave area cleared and marked for mapping
Research & Planning 
Research Coordinator Deborah Burchill conferring with St. Patrick's Church liaison, Jim Croson
Work Crews
Sam Sadler III, Director of Land Operations heading up the clearing and safety measures
Grant and Lonny Carlton doing chain saw work
John Hoechst
Grounds clean up and Eagle Scout Project participants, Boy Scout Troop 277, the Catholic Community of Saint Patrick
(Above) Gary Thomas Scout Master of Troop 277, watches work in progress
(Below 3 pictures)
Boy Scout Troop 101 Prince of Peace Church Orlando, Florida
Mark Abbott, (left) Assistant Scout Leader, providing significant metal detector scanning, and location marking
(Top Left) Brian Busham, Scout Master, Orlando Troop 101(Top Right) Mark Abbott, assistant scout master
Mount Dora High School 9th grade Social Studies (AP, Advanced Placement class is sworn in as honorary members of the Mount Dora Historical Society.
Commencement Ceremony May 22nd 2010
Commencement Ceremony Photographs courtesy of Mike Lucas, PSM Southearstern Surveying
Mount Dora Historical Society President, and Project Manager Andrew Mullen opens the ceremony
Invocation by Father Robert D'Aversa T.O.R.
Jim Laux, Historian for the Mount Dora Historical Society delivers a history of the cemetery's creation
Deborah A. Burchill, Assistant Project Manager and Director of Research for the Cemetery Project
Mount Dora Mayor, Melissa DeMarco
Orange County Florida, District 2 Commissioner Fred Brummer
Orange County Florida District 5 Commissioner Bill Segal
Keynote Speaker, Darryll DeMarsh
of Southeastern Surveying
Sam Sadler III, Director of Land Operations
Hector DeLeon Saint Patrick Community Church Scouting Program Founder & Chairman
Deborah A. Burchill (in white) & Sam Sadler III (white shorts) giving tour
The Mount Dora Community Trust, partners and funding provider's for this project
email or call us to be on the notification list
Email: royellou@gmail.com
(352) 434-1455
Mail:
Mount Dora Historical Society
PO Box 1166
Mount Dora, FL. 32756
Lowes of Mount Dora provided the materials for the Gazebo and the Kiosk,
Sam Sadler and team from Lowe's Mount Dora: Dean Hilty and Rona Mohrenne examine the kiosk that was the Boy Scout Troop 277 Eagle Scout Project of Trent Shipton. Lowes of Mount Dora donated all the materials with Sam Sadler as consultant
Project Manager Andrew Mullen examines the Cemetery Shelter under construction with materials provided by Lowe's of Mount Dora. Construction by Lonny Carlton Carpentry and Sam Sadler III Team. Lowe's representatives Dean Hilty and Rona Mohrenne
Coffin Nails found on surface ground at the Mt Carmel~Simpson Cemetery.
View of Sam Sadler's truck ready to imbed the grave markers. Note map of the cemetery for placement
A limited number of eternally maintained commemorative cement benches have been sold. They cost $225 each which includes a customized engraving
( 5" x 12" area inlaid in center of bench seat) of donors name
The following donors have purchased benches that are in place at the cemetery
Contact Deborah A. Burchill for more information
(352) 383-1422
or email: loonlov@aol.com
Newly installed access point sign from the south, from US Hwy 441 @ Old 441, (Highland street)
Commemorative Plaque by
Sharp Design Mount Dora, FL
(352) 735-7446
More Info: Andrew Mullen (352) 434-1455
Special Thanks to:
Deiter Torquemada and Dr. Edwin C. Nutter
Mount Dora,Florida,HistoricalSociety~Mount DoraCommunity Trust~Northeast Black History Committee, Mount Dora, Inc.
~
and below listed
contributors & volunteers collaborate on a long overdue initiative...
Andrew E. Mullen
Project Manager
Deborah A. Burchill
Project Manager
Andrew E. Mullen
Project Manager and Past President, Mount Dora Historical Society
312.878.7543
Email: royellou@gmail.com
Deborah A. Burchill
Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Project Manager
352 383 1422
Email: LoonLov@aol.com
Sam Sadler III
Site Coordinator, Land Management Director
352 383 6040
Email: s.s.s.3@earthlink.net
William C. Rowe
PSM, GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) Coordinator, Southeastern Surveying, Orlando, FL. Phone: 407 292 8580
Email: browe@southeasternsurveying.com
John Hoechst
P.S.M. Surveying Coordinator
352 616 3184
Email: jhoechst@besandh.com
Cathy Galgano
GISP, GIS Analyst, Southeastern Surveying of Orlando
Phone: 407 913 1766
Email: cegthegreat@yahoo.com
(below)
What appears to be an insignificant patch of the cemetery.....
(below)Photo showing same location as above indicatingunmarked grave # 14 discovered by Southeastern Surveying, GPR ( ground penetrating radar)
Headstone of Mike Dunn, also known as "Uncle Mike" a mail carrier for the Atlantic Coast Lines Railroad in the early 1900's
Uncle Mikedelivering mail parcels and a tire for a Model A Ford 
Mike Dunn
GPR by Southeastern Surveying
Headstone of Angeline Dunn
wife of Mike Dunn
1856 - 1927
Angeline Dunn
GPR by Southeastern Surveying
Base of marker inscriptionof Angeline Dunn stone reads:
"Erected by Robert Gamble"
Mr. Gambel lived on Harris Road by the Primitive Baptist Church
Headstone of Wilson Green,thought to be the father of Angeline Dunn.
Photo of Emmaline Green
interred at the cemetery
Major Sponsors & Contributors
Mount Dora Historical Society& Old Jail Museum450 Royellou LanePO Box 1166 Mount Dora, FL 32757352 383 0006email: royellou@gmail.com
The Mount Dora Community Trust providing a significant grant to fund major initiatives in land clearing, gazebo construction
In kind research, organizational services, and somephotographic services provided by:
Deborah A. Burchill
Proprietor
Obsessively Organized
Personal Affairs Management
Mount Dora, Florida
352 383 1422 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting352 383 1422end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Email: LoonLov@aol.com
Sam S. Sadler III, Inc.
Foundation
436 East 5th Avenue
Mount Dora, FL 32757
P.O. Box 487 Tangerine, FL 32777
352 383 6040 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting352 383 6040end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Providing significant support in monetary and In-kind donations of services in land clearing and ground safety measures
Sam Sadler III residential builder
In Kind donationsof services by
William C. Rowe, PSM
Southeastern Surveying
6500 All American Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32810
407 292 8580
email: browe@southeasternsurveying.com
James Hardee
Ryan Jeffers
GPR Technician
Cathy Galgano, Meta Data
and clocking in 3 days of GPR services at the behest of
Krick & Peterson
Bill Rowe
Mike Lucas ~
Working with Boy Scout Troop 277 to build the cemetery kiosk
Thanks Dave Emery
Carlton Carpentry Inc.Eustis, FloridaLonny Carlton: ProprietorGrant Carlton: Project Manager407 230 8530Email: bronco774@comcast.net
Providing In-Kind services of grounds clearing and construction of the Gazebo/Shelter completed09/27/20
Thank you Lonny!
A special thanks to Kenny of...
451 S. Duncan Drive
Tavares, FL 32778
(352) 343-7720 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting(352) 343-7720end_of_the_skype_highlighting
for Kiosk construction assistance for Trent Shipton, Eagle Scout candidate for troop 277 Mount Dora, Florida
John Hoechst, PSM
352 617-3183 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting352 617-3183end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Providing mapping, surveying and historical records collection.
Mary Rathbun
Relationship Manager
First American Title Corporation
2755 S. Bay Street,Suite A
Eustis, FL 32726
877 833 1751 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting877 833 1751end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Dannie's Tractor Service Inc.
21819 3rd Ave
Mount Dora,Florida32757
352 383 5418 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting352 383 5418end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Heywood Gordon
Sr. Executive Vice President
First National Bank of Mount Dora
and resident of Mount Dora, Florida, personally donated his tractor and mowing equipment for use in land clearing of cemetery.
Mark Abbott, Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 101 Prince of Peace Church, Orlando, Florida, providing metal detector, surface and deep search capabilities and has found7 additional graves.
A special thank you to
Kenneth Lanier
for his help with the Unmarked Grave, Gravestone manufacturing project.
Mount Dora High School
Mount Dora, Florida
Marlene Straughan, Social studies teacher, and 9th grade AP class providing research and development, publicity, historical chronicling,
Saint Patrick's Catholic
Community Church
6803 Old Highway 441 Mount Dora, Florida 32757
352 383 8556
Providing support and
ecumenical services
Boy Scout Troop 277
The Catholic Community of Saint Patrick, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Gary Thomas: Scout Master
Mike Heiserman: Asst Scout Master
Korena Monoski: Troop Committee Chairperson
Hector DeLeon: Scouting Program Founder & Chairman Saint Patrick, Scouting
Boy Scout Troop 101
Prince of Peace, Orlando, FL
Brian Bushem: Scout Master,
James Godwin: Boy Scout Troop
Mark Abbott: Assistant Scout Master
James Godwin: Boy Scout Troop Assistant and cleanup crew leader
Greens Bookkeeping Service
Carolyn M. Green 407 925 6782
carolyn_m_green@embarqmail.com
Mary Pezzo, Sandy Steinberg providing braille acknowledgment plaque and as needed sighted guides for blind orlow vision visitors to cemeteryMount Dora Lions ClubP. O. Box 131
Mt. Dora, Florida 32756 352 735 9629Website: www.mountdoralions.org Email:
communications@mtdoralions.org
Roseborough Montessori School
Mount Dora, Florida
accredited AMIS
Students
Kalie Williamson ~ Victoria Crabill, Paxton Sommer
Teachers
Cheri Kramer Marla Langford
Providing cemetery maintenance and docent duties. Generating publicity, chronicling and caching of project information to governmental, educational and media organizations worldwide.
Plot markers strewn about. Surveyor, John Hoescht will try to reestablish their proper placement.
Supporters
- Mount Dora Historical Society
- Mount Dora Community Trust
- Kenneth Lanier of Mount Dora and Idaho
- Mount Dora High School, Marlene Straughan and AP Social Studies classes
- Cathy Galgano: Metadata documentation and GPR interpretation
- Northeast Black History Committee, Mount Dora, Inc.
- Black History Committee of the Mount Dora Historical Society, Sally Luther, Brenda Lott Grey
- James Croson St Patrick's Community Church Liaison
- Mount Dora Lions Club, Mary Pezzo and Sandy Steinberg representing the organization
- The City of Mount Dora, Florida, Michael Quinn, City Manager and Mayor Melissa DeMarco and the City of Mount Dora Team.
- Gus Gianakis Mount Dora Historic Preservation Committee
- Glenna Burch
- Molly K. Mullen
- Josh Hoescht
- Rachel Thompson
Historical Account
Contributors
~
Beulah Babbs
Mount Dora, Florida
Estella Chatman
Eustis, Florida
Edward Torrence
Leesburg, Florida
James C. Harris
Spring Grove, Virginia
Charlie Harris, Jr.
Mount Dora, Florida
Carrie Jackson
Mount Dora, Florida
Lillie Cooper Warren
Newark, New Jersey
Irene Harris Hasty
Jacksonville, FloridaJames Anderson
Anderson-Hence Funeral Home
Wildwood, Florida
Lonnie HicksonGary Hickson
Mount Dora, Florida
Ken HarleyDeland. Florida
Acolia MartinMount Dora Florida
Yvette WalkerMount Dora, Florida
Joseph WalkerMount Dora Florida
U. T. YoungLandover, Maryland
Leon DawsonWaterbury, Connecticut
Phyllis EverettGainesville, FloridaSamuel BrittianYork, PennsylvaniaEric BrittianMount Dora, FloridaKen HarleyDeland, FloridaAcolia MartinMount Dora, Florida~
A generic grave marker surrounded by fallen tree branches, eloquent silence of many unremembered interred at this now acknowledged site of some that contributed to the building and prospering of muckrakers of the town of Royellou and its subsequent name of Mount Dora, Florida, Lake County
Ground penetrating radar for grave identification. GPR and mapping services to be provided by Southeastern Surveying, Orlando, Florida
Grave # 31 after GPR
Unidentified Grave # 12 discovered by GPR (ground penetrating radar)
Marlene Straughan Teacher Advanced Placement Social Studies class grades 9th & 10, Mount Dora High School, and director of the high school's project participation
Ms. Wilson teacher of Mount Dora High School, 9th grade Social Studies AP Class
GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) Team from Southeastern Surveying
Orange County District 2 Commissioner Fred Brummer with attendees to his left Beulah Babbs (in white top) & Frances Ferguson in blue.
Bill Rowe, Cathy Galgano and Darryll DeMarsh of Southeastern Surveying meet Orange County Commissioner District 5 Bill Segal
Boy Scoutsraisethe flagat commencement
Darryll DeMarsh of
Southeastern Surveying
John Hoechst receives a certificate of appreciation from the St Patrick's Boy Scouts director Hector DeLeon
Deborah A. Burchill leading a tour
GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) demonstration at the vault of Jesse Fletcher
Attendee Jim Segal meets
St Patrick's Community Church Deacon Paul Gaucher
Cathy Galgano, Bill Rowe and John Hoechst
Hector DeLeon Boy Scout Chairman for St Patrick's Churchand Andrew Mullen President, Mount Dora Historical Society andCemetery Project Manager
Darryll DeMarsh and Cathy Galgano of Southeastern Surveying Company
Commencement Ceremony Photographs courtesy of Mike Lucas,PSM, Southeastern Surveying Company
For more information or lecture/speaking engagement needs contact:Deborah A. Burchill
Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Cemetery Web Page Content Manager
352 383 1422
Email: LoonLov@aol.com
Andrew E. MullenProject Manager and Past President, Mount Dora Historical Society
202 558 6351 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting202 558 6351end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Email: royellou@gmail.com
Grave Marker Project
This project need was identification of graves with no named marker so as to indicate the grave site and provide a number corresponding to the main Map. This will keep the number of interred and locations known for hopefully generations to come.
Stamped characters read: UKG an acronym for "Unknown Grave" followed by a number that corresponds to printed map that will eventually be posted on entrance area kiosk
With partof the funds from the generous grant from the Mount Dora Community Trust the materials consisting of wood molds, cement, sand, lettering and numbering sets and black and white paint the painstaking process commenced late May 2010 with the 1st 15 markers to be set in the ground in July 2010.
(Above) letter and number impressions painted with the white coat to follow. Note the pile of a failed batch in the early stages.
Sam Sadler cast the 1st 3 of about 49 grave markers, paints themand in-beds them according to map of grave sites of the cemetery providing a permanent location marker for those without demarcation.
(UKG means Unknown Grave)
Sunken Grave # 5One of the earlier graves believed to be from the late 1880's
New form made for markers
for the 2 vaults
Mount Dora Historical Society
450 Royellou Lane
PO Box 1166
Mount Dora, FL 32757
ph: (352) 383-0006
mountdor
