Tavares
Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, a New Orleans businessman with ties to newspapers and the railroad, founded and named this small community after a Portuguesee ancestor in 1880. His goal of it becoming the state capital was not realized, but Tavares did become the county seat of Lake County in 1887.
Hurricane Irma blew through the town Sept. 10, 2017, and destroyed the marina and seaplane base; seaplanes are lining up along temporary docks on Lake Dora. Note: A new marina and seaplane base (150 E. Ruby St.) is scheduled to open late 2020; phone (352) 742-6267 for more information.
Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., is along the shores of Lake Dora and the site of many community events. Open daily dawn-dusk, it features docks, a fishing pier, playground and seaplane-themed splash pad (April through September); phone (352) 742-6267.