Thursday, June 13, 2013
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 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
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
Friday, May 10, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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.
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
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
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
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