Small clip from Leesburg Commerical Personals- E.H.Mote Recovering Friday November 21, 1930

E.H.Mote Recovering Friday November 21, 1930

Friends of E.H.Mote are glad to know that he is gaining strength daily from his recent fall and is now able to sit out in the sunshine on the porch.

E.H. Mote Injured When He Makes Misstep on Own Back Porch-Daily Commercial Friday October 17, 1930

 Daily Commercial Friday October 17, 1930

E.H. Mote is getting along nicely after his accident Monday, when, coming into the kitchen at his home on Palmetto street he stepped back off of the steps when opening the screened door, He was fortunate that no bones were broken but his right shoulder was badly bruised and he was confined to bed for several days. He walked a little Thursday and will soon be about again. Mr. and Mrs. Mote had just returned Thursday from a motor trip of over 6000 miles, going as far west as Cleveland and returning by Washington, D.C. and on home by the coastal route with no mis haves and both were in excellent health from their three month vacation.

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

May 11,2013 Mote-Morris House Tour

This Saturday May 11,2013

  OPEN 10AM-2PM

 FREE to public

E.H. Mote a owner of The Mote-Morris house long ago...

E. H. Mote, one of the outstanding citizens of Leesburg,was born at Newark, Delaware, on the 24th day of January,1860, son of Jacob  H. and Mary Mote. His parents were both natives of Delaware and were of Scotch descent. Mr.Mote received a limited education in the schools of Delaware and on account of his mother's death and father's re-marriage, he went alone to Philadelphia at the early age of eleven where he obtained a job at $3.00 per week,shoveling snow off roofs of houses. Ever since this time, Mr.Mote has been entirely on his own resources.After working at various jobs in Philadelphia he went to Washington, D.C.,in 1876, where he worked in a paper store.

On account of lung trouble, which was probably brought about by his early struggles when a boy,he came to Florida in 1881, settling at Leesburg.He only stayed a year but returned almost immediately and has resided in Leesburg ever since 1882.In January, 1883 Mr. Mote entered the livery business at Leesburg,which he followed with success for a number of years. Leesburg town hall was located over his stable in the ealry days. In connection with his livery business,he operated a stage line from Leesburg to Wildwood.

 In 1885 he sold his livery business and purchased the predecessor of the present Lakeview Hotel,which he greatly enlarged and operated for number of years. At the same time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Leesburg,which he continued until freeze of 1895. Mr. Mote has been one of the real builders of Leesburg , at the time when it took courage to build,having erected among other buildings, the Mote Block,which when it was built,was the largest business building in town.For many years Mr,Mote has dealt extensively in the citrus business and has shipped as many as three hundred and fifty carloads in one season.

Commencing about 1900,he devoted much of his time and energy to developing grove properties east of Leesburg.He was the owner and develpoer of "Treasure Island," near Leesburg. Mr.Mote has given much attention  to civic affairs.He establish the first waterworks in Leesburg,and in the early days he served as fire chief.He was also mayor for seven or eight terms,holding this office longer than it has ever been held by one person. He also served in the Lower House of the State Legislature for one term. His fraternal affilations are with the Masons and Knights of Pythias.He was married to Lucretia Hansbrough on October 5,1885.

Some owners of the Mote-Morris house long ago...

Bishop Henry Clay Morrison and his wife Elizabeth Stoner Morrison

While the Morrison family isn't immortalized in the name of the Mote-Morris House,Bishop Henry Clay Morrison is forever linked with the Methodist church. Morrison United Methodist Church is named for him. Morrison moved to Leesburg with the idea of buying a retirement home in 1908. He purchased the Mote's home,which was just rebounding after a period of declining attendance. After struggling and seeing attendance drop from 200 in1896, to around 100 by the turn of the century,and 87 in 1905, the Methodist church began to grow again with 88 members in 1906. The 1910 census lists the Morrison family and those living in the house.It included Morrison and his wife,two grown sons, one daughter-in-law and five grandchildren.After Morrison died the house was sold to John S. Morris in 1918

Mote-Morris House Journeys long ago...

Edward H. Mote and his wife Lucretia bought the property at 1021 W. Main Street from John Love in February 1889. The Victorian-style house was completed in 1892 for about $9,000. The house had a nursery, but the Motes remained childless and sold the home to Bishop Henry Clay Morrison in 1908, who bought it as a retirement residence.
Morrison made many improvements to the house, including the addition of electricity by his son, Dr. H.K. Morrison, who birthed about 3,000 Leesburg babies.

The Morris house holds the distinction of being the only house in Leesburg to be placed on the National Register of Historic Homes. It was given this award in 1974, and has housed three generations of the Morris family since it was purchased by John S. Morris in 1920.The present owners are Robert and Georgiana Morris,owners of Yalaha Nurseries.


The house was sold to John S. and May James Morris in 1918. A member of the Morris family lived in the house for the next 70 years. They added indoor plumbing in phases.
Son Robert moved his family into the house to care for his aging mother May in the mid-1950s. His father, John S. Morris, died several years earlier. When May J. Morris died in 1973 the house was willed to Robert and Georgianna. The Mote-Morris House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places the following year.

The Mote-Morris House was purchased by Morrison United Methodist Church in 1988 and the church offered the house to whomever would move it. The house was relocated from 1021 West Main Street to 1195 West Magnolia Street in 1990. The community raised $95,000 so the house could be moved.

Research Info:
Daily Commercial Newspaper articles(July1988),
http://www.leesburgflorida.gov/history/student_leesburg.aspx
Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum

Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Leesburg,Florida

Leesburg Hertiage Society,Inc. presents a walk through our downtown area. Leesburg is named after Evander Lee, who operated a store on the corner of Third and Main Streets. Evander bought his property in 1857 and the town was incorporated in 1875.The downtown is still the thriving heart of the city.His first store was built in the late 1850's.Other followed, and after over 150 years of uniterupted and subtantial development,Leesburg's real growth is just beginning. A short visit to the downtown Museum at 111 Sixth Street will bring you the most accurate information obtainable on points not covered in the blog. As a part of your downtown experience you might also wish to visit the historic Mote-Morris House on the corner of Magnolia and 12th street.Free Guided Tours are offered on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am-2pm.Also open during city events in the park.(Next Scheduled Tour is next Saturday May 11,2013 at 10am-2pm





Leesburg Hertiage Society Museum
 111 Sixth Street
Leesburg, Fla 34748
Business Days/Hours:Mon.-Fri.10am-4pm
Saturdays 8am-2pm

Mote-Morris House open SATURDAY May 11,2013 10am-2pm

 Next Tour May 11,2013 OPEN 10AM-2PM

 FREE to public

 Bedroom Second Floor

Mystery Flaucet in Study

Short Daily Commercial article- Mote-Morris house committee meets(Sept 8,1989)

Leesburg- A committee formed to decide where the Mote-Morris House will be moved, met Wednesday to organize. The committee made no decisions,however the committee appointed Lauren Stokes as chairman and appointed members to check on the land prices of the proposed sites. In another area, the committee members began looking into fund raising opportunities. A report is scheduled to be made at the committee' s next meeting on Wednesday. The committee is expected to meet in City Hall at 3p.m.

Daily Commercial(Tuesday,August 15, 1989) Mote-Morris backers voice postion late

Mote-Morris backers voice position late

By Lauren E. Stokes Leesburg ,Fla

I would like to respond to several points made in the editorial dated July 22, concerning the Mote-Morris house. As one of the "picketing preservationists," I would like to respond to the question about why only now protest? I feel the church's ultimate aims were not made clear or public until the article appeared in the Daily Commercial on July 1, that stated if the home were not moved it would be destroyed or razed. It has been our position as a group that we are first and foremost protest the destruction of this historic and architecturally significant home.  

Since the statements made in early July were the first references of this kind, we felt the negotiations between the city of Leesburg and Morrison church officials had reached an impasse that the time was appropriate to voice our position. I would like to clarify that the city of Leesburg, since the purchase of the home by Morrison United Methodist Church,has in fact been in tough with state restoration and preservation officials. The city has worked diligently applying for restoration grants and in negotiations with the church.The city of Leesburg offered to purchase and pave the vacant lot across Main Street from the Mote-Morris house in exchange for the house. As stated in your editorial, the church has rejected this offer.

 If we have made a mistake in our timing, it was based on erroneous assumptions, the most important being that the church would even consider the destruction of the home of such overwhelming importance for the community. I regret that I and others did not publicly support the Mote-Morris house earlier. I truly hope that if that has been a mistake that it does not have grave consequences.

Daily Commercial/A New York Times Company-Working on It(August 17,1989)

E.A. Nichols Jr.-Publisher

James M. Archer-Editor

Glenn Marston-Managing Editor

Emmett Peter Jr.-Contributing Editor

 

Mote-Morris House

TIME is Short, but there is still hope for historic home

It's amazing how far a little communication and cooperation will go. Just ask Morrison United Methodist officials and a group of preservationists trying to save an historic house on church property. It now appears the Leesburg home,the Mote-Morris House, can be moved a short distance without a loss of government preservation grants and without removal from the National Historic Register. The home was built by one of Leesburg's first mayors, E.H. Mote, in 1892 and was later used as a residence for a church bishop. State historic preservation officials have termed the house as "an important....and significant building.

" Church officials purchased the home last year, intending to use the site as a parking lot. Since then, Morrison officials have tried to find someone who would buy the home and move it off the church property. Preservationists, however, resisted the effort to relocate the house. They and Leesburg city officials feared that moving the structure would remove it from the Historic Register and thereby rule out the chance for grant money to renovate it.

Now, however, state officials report that moving the house to either a vacant lot across from its current Main Street location or to another nearby site apparently won't jeopardize state grants. The major obstacle now is a state deadline-September 15 for applying for the grants. Church and city officials and preservationists need to get moving. They should work together under these guildlines:

• While some private groups may be able to assist in the purchase of a new site, city officials who were among the harshest of the church critics- should foot much of the bill for relocation. The church shouldn't fund a dime.

• Church officials should stick by their repeated claims of a willingness to wait for a solution. True, they already have shown admirable patience, but the cause is worth a little longer wait.

• As far as the actual revonation, city officials,at least in a coordinating sense, will have to take the lead. They should explore ways of getting the entire community involved, particularly the younger citizens. Students could be used for everything from actual renovation work to researching and recording the home's past. School and community clubs should be asked to assist in the fund-raisers.

• City officials should also hold public hearings to discuss the eventual use of the renovated home. Such uses could include a museum or public meeting place.Where once there was acrimony, finger-pointing and picketing, there is now communication and some fledgling trust. Just pray that it isn't too late.

The Lake Sentinel-Flap over old house could end(SundayAugust 13, 1989)

Morris Home to keep historic status if moved

By Steve Berry of The Sentinel Staff

Leesburg - City commissioners probably will hear news Monday that could help end a long and sometimes bitter dispute between Methodists and preservationists over an old home in the downtown area. William Thurston, a state supervisor of historic preservation, said he will tell the Leesburg City Commission Monday that moving the Mote-Morris home from church property might not jeopardize its place on the National Register of Historic Places. The home could keep its status if moved to a similar site, such as a vacant lot across the Main Street, he said. Thurston's comment would practically eliminate one of the major reasons that city officials and preservationists have opposed Morrison United Methodist Church's wish to move the home of its property.

The church wants to give the 97-year old structure, which was the home of a former church bishop and a prominent Leesburg family, to the city or to anyone who will move it off church property.But preservationists and city officials have said such a move would take the house off the National Register of Historic Places and jeopardize its chances for getting state restoration funds. The dispute has raged for three months. Preservationists have demonstrated in front of the church during Sunday services. City Commissioner Robert Lovell has threatened the church with eminent domain, the right government agencies have to acquire property for the public good.

And Morrison pastor Leslie Rabb has fired off a "Pastoral Message" declaring "I'm Upset." Thurston, who toured the lot Monday with Rabb and Commissioner Joe Knowles, said it looks as if it would meet federal provisions that would let the structure stay on the national Registry pending a review of the home after the move. "I did not look at the site in detail, but it appears to be appropriate," Thurston said. "The lot keeps the building in its immediate neighborhood. The move would only require turning the house around so that it would face the street."

He said moving it across the street probably would not lessen the city's chances to get a state grant to renovate the home. Moreover, a national registry official said in a letter to Rabb, the house would not lose its place on the registry if state officials approve the move. "If the relocation is approved in advance,the building will retain its National Register listing," said Carol D. Shull, chief of registration. The Commission Monday will hear Thurston's analysis of the site and other information about state money available for renovation projects. If the move doesn't jeopardize the home's eligibility, the city could consider buying the new site,while preservationists could raise money to finance the move.

Tom Grizzard Realtor Inc. lists the lot for $90,000, but agent Craig Hollingsworth said owner Charles Miller is willing to negotiate. Miller owns an antique store next to the half-acre lot. Knowles, who toured the site with Thurston and the church pastor, said he will offer a proposal to the commissiona Monday. "I am first going to establish the fact that the house is not going to stay where it is," he said. Rabb said Knowles is right. The church's administrative board recently unanimously affirmed its wish to move the house off the property, he said. Rabb, in his pastoral message, accused preservationists of waging a "deceitful campaign" against the church and of trying to split the congregation over the issue.

The preservationists have erroneously said the church eagerly wants to destroy the old home, he said. Jim Hill, spokesman for a group that has been pressuring the church to let the house stay on the property,denied the charges. He declined further comment,saying he wants the debate to become more positive. He said he would accept moving the home only as a last resort."Optimally, we want the house to stay on the property," he said. "But if [there is] no other solution, we would rather see it moved thatn bulldozed.

We just want to save the house." City officials are not averse to buying property in connection with the home, because they already have offered to swap land to the church for the Mote-Morris site. And Hill has said his group will donate money left over from its publicity campaign to anyone wanting to restore the home. So far it has raised $650 and spent $440,, but treasurer Jane Halloway said several people have said they would make big contributions toward preserving the home. She questioned whether the city should provide the land: "I don't know if that's a burden the taxpayers should bear."

Pastor Leslie E. Rabb-A Pastoral Message to My People



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The Lake Sentinel-Church, Preservationists come to terms over house(Tuesday,August 15, 1989)

By Steve Berry

of The Sentinel Staff

Leesburg- No one gave an inch Monday in the tug-of-war between Methodists and preservationists over the fate of the Mote-Morris home. But more was accomplished in two hours at the Leesburg City Commission meeting than in three months of angry charges and counter charges between 

and preservationists:

•  The debate over whether the home would stay on church property or be moved to make way for the church's expansion plans apparently was settled. It's going to have to be moved.
• Church officials apparently satisfied preservationists and the city commission by reiterating that they will not start swinging a wreckin ball if the city and preservationists get moving in finding a new home for the structure.
• The Methodists and preservationists said they are willing to start talking.

• The city commission decided to appoint a committee of church members and preservationists at its next meeting to determine where to put the home and how to raise money for the land,relocation and restoration. Commissioner Sanna Henderson and City Manager Rex Taylor agreed to represent the commission on it. All was not peace and tranquility. Church supporters muttered cynically at some comments of preservationists.But little of that came out at the speakers podium or at the commissioner's table. "There is a spirit of enthusiasm,"

• Commissioner Joe Knowles said. "Three weeks before there was just hostility." Jim Hill, leader of an informal preservation group called the Concerned Citizens for the Preservation of the Mote-Morris Home, met with church leader Claron "Woody" Wagner during a break in the discussion to talk about a meeting between the two groups. Earlier Hill had called for an end to the dispute. "If we can turn this around into a postive direction, we could turn this into a great gathering of support from the community." The 97-year-old home was built by E. H. Mote, one of Leesburg's early mayors.  

• A former Methodist bishop H. C. Morrison- and three generations of the Morris family lived there. The U.S. Park Service has listed it in the National Register of Historic Places.While the church has never set a deadline for removing the home, it has said repeatedly it will raze the structure if someone does not move it. Preservationists have waged a vigorous publicity campaign, including a picket during Sunday services serveral weeks ago, to pressure the church into letting the home remain on its church site next door to the church. Until Monday, preservationists have argued that the house would lose it's place on National Register, jeopardizing eligibility for state funding.

But William Thurston, state supervisor for historic preservation, told the city commission the house probably could keep its listing if it were moved to the lot across the street or to a site two blocks west. And, he assured the commission, moving the house to a similar spot would not jeopardize state funding for renovation. Although that was not quite the guarantee preservationists sought, they appeared to accept that the home would have to be moved. "The leadership of the church wants it moved," Knowles said. "That fact is final." With those issues settled, both sides and the commission are turning to the money question. Thurston, the state official, said his agency would consider paying for relocation and renovation, but the community would have to pay for the site, which could cost from $90,000 to $150,000. To get the money next year, the state Division of Historic Resources must receive the city application by Sept. 15, a deadline probably beyond reach, commissioners concluded.

City Commissioners said taxpayers will not foot the entire bill. The city cannot help with the project unless the church and preservationists support the fundraising, Knowles said. "If they can't get a commitment and show they are willing to back this, the city can't do much with it." Mayor David Connelly said in an interview that he would oppose any subtantial contribution on part of the city. "I'd love to take that kind of money down to east Leesburg and really do some renovating," he said, referring blighted areas of town. Commisssioner Charles Stickland advocated a November referendum. Hill said preservationists are prepared to cahnnel all thier funds to restoration if someone assures them the house will not be destroyed.

"We have not sought major corparate cintributions," Hill said. "But three or four have said they will make major contributions. I don't think money is the problem." In other business, the commission voted unanimously to forbid bars from located downtown unless they are an incidently part of a restaurant. The law will not affect the few bars already doing business downtown. Commissioner Bob Lovell proposed the ordiance several weeks ago to make sure furture bars keep their distance from youth who attend a new downtown teen club and Beacon College. Leesburg has had a law that prohibits bars from locating within 200 feet of a school or church. It also prohibits bars in neighborhood commerical zones. The new law extends that last prohibition to the more intensely commerical areas like central business district and parts of 14th Street.



Daily Commercial-Protestors:Save old home (Monday-July 17,1989)

By Penny Carter/Daily Commercial Staff Writter

Monday-July 17,1989



The Mote-Morris house Leesburg's Main Street got plenty of attention Sunday morning when as many as 75 protesters walked around it and the Morrison United Methodist Church to protest church officials plans to have the home moved to allow for expansion.But at least one of the church member agrees with the church officials decision to move the home, saying that the house has architectural value that would not be destroyed by the move.  

The home, built in 1892, is listed on the National Historic Register.The home is named for two families who lived there. One family, the Morris family, lived there for some 70 years, according to the protesters.Church officials began seeking private people to move the house after city officials turned down an offer earlier this year, to move it. The City Commission contended that moving the house would remove it from the National Register and make it harder,if not impossible,to get grants for refurbishing it.

 In the lastest series of events,Morrison officials said several people interested in the house. They would not say who the people are, only that some are local and one is from "out of the area."
On Sunday the protestors,who gathered in time for the morning church service,marched peacefully until about 12:15p.m.,when churchgoers left their church. Protestors carried signs that read "Is this house worth more that a parking lot?"

"History Yes,Asphalt No" and "Save,dont Pave." Drivers passing by 1005 W. Main St. slowed to watch the protestors.The group calls itself concerned citizens,formed during the past week or so, said spokemans Jim Hill." It didn't take very much to bring the people out," Hill sais,once word got out around that the church had purchased the house in order to use the land for expansion.The church bought the house last year,raising the hopes of some who said they felt the house would be restored and used in some church-related capacity.One of those is City Commissioner Bob Lovell. Lovell said he supports the protestors and believes the house is an important part of the city's heritage.

Historic house may get help 1989

 Morrison United Methodist Church  officials want city residents to know the historical Mote-Morris house is not doomed to destruction, not yet anyway. Church officials say several local people and one out of the area person church officials won't say where the person lives, have become interested in the house. Therefore, the church won't have the old house torn down just yet. "We have people studying the possibility," said Claron "Woody" Wagner, chairman of the church's Morris house Committee, in reference to the recent interest in the house.

The Committee's responsibility is to find a buyer, taker or anyone to move the house from its present Main Street location, next door to the church.The newly expressed interest in the house means it may eventually be moved to another site. And  that, church officials say, would make everybody happy. By moving it would also allow the church to expand. But if, and only if, this latest attempt to move the house does not pan out, then the idea for destruction will be considered. "We'll trying hard to find somebody for that house," Wagner said. "We'll give it away."

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