Mrs. Mote Compare Florida With West Daily Commerical New Paper article

Wednesday's issue of the Ocala Star published the following interview given by Mrs. E. H. Mote of this city: A message of real Florida enthusiasm and bubbling over with helpful suggestions, emanated from Mrs. E. H. Mote, of  Leesburg, as she passed through Ocala on her way home from the Pacific coast. "I went to Santa Catalina Island, near Los Angeles, and took the glass bottom boat trip there, but it is nothing to compare with what you people have. The small spot, covered by Catalina trip, could be put in one small corner of Silver  Springs. " "Where are your schools of fish and under-ground gardens?" I asked, in talking to the Californians. It is unthinkable to mention Silver Springs and the Catalina Island in the same sentence, said Mrs. Mote. "Florida does not advertise enough. Everywhere you go in California, you are reminded of the fact that they advertise. We had just as well face facts as they are This was brought quite vividly before me at San Diego. An Englishman brought over a certain kind of pine known as the Torrey pine.

Saving the Mote-Morris House for the Future written in May 27, 1994

The house was moved by T.A. Youngblood and Sons Inc. moving engineers of Sanford Fla.. During the four hour move, the electricity in the immediate area was turned off and telephone lines were lowered to make more room. After 98 years in it's orginal location, the Mote-Morris house now sat on a new foundation. Now that the Mote-Morris home has been relocated, preservationists are still debating it's uses. The state is trying to get away from using historical sites purely as museums. Preservationists agree, and want the site to be a living part of the community, both publicly and socially. It will be rented to individuals or organizations for weddings,meetings or parties. The house will also serve as an educational facility for Lake-Sumter Community College and other schools as well as museum for Leesburg Heritage Society memorbilia. Plans have also been considered for a park or botanical garden.

The Mote-Morris house is  truly a living example of Leesburg's heritage. The house is also a representation of the community's unity and power to fight for what they believe in. It is a shame that the Morrison United Methodist Church would treat history with such disrepect. The hard work of the preservationists will be applauded for generations to come. The Mote-Morris home, a historical haven, educational facility and social gathering place will link Leesburg's history to the present.

Research Info: Donated to Leesburg Heritage Society Museum
 by Skellie Morris, Written by April Edlin

The process to saving the Mote-Morris House written in May 27, 1994

The Morrison Church gave the house to the city at no cost. A Preservation Steering Committee was formed at the suggestion of the Leesburg City Commission. Headed by Lauren Stokes, their job was to find a relocation site, provide revenue to purchase the land, and suggest used for the home. Three possible relocation sites were considered, all of which met the Historic Preservation's environmental provisions. The Jim Clark property on Magnolia Street, between 11th and 12th Streets was purchased because it was the largest site. It wasn't as expensive as the next favorite Dunstan land on Main street. The Miller property, across the street from the original location, would have been an ideal site, although nearly impossible because the house would have to be turned completely around. The chosen 1.6 acre site was two blocks from the original spot and sold at a price of $95,000.

While the city easily raised their money by selling the Lassiter Ware building on Sixth Street, the Preservation Steering Committee had to earn $95,000 by community fundraisers. The most successful fundraiser was a gala auction at the Howey Mansion which raised about $20,000. Renderings of the Mote-Morris house by twelve local artists were sold.Other fundraisers included a Mote-Morris house tour, 5k run, barbecues, Leesburg Jaycees Bowl-A-Thon, and lastly a production of Oklahoma! by the Melon Patch Theatre. Private donation from individuals and local businesses accounted for over half of the funds. Other donations include European and Victorian handcrafted furniture from the 1920's. The furniture was owned by the original Lee famil, who founded Leesburg. The moving of the Mote-Morris house took place September 1, 1990, after a one-week delay. More than 400 spectators watched the 150 tonhouse be moved one block south and two blocks west.



Research Info: Donated to Leesburg Heritage Society Museum
 by Skellie Morris, Written by April Edlin