Clermont
The area of Clermont was first believed to be settled by Herring Hooks as
early as 1868. He established a 40 acre grove which became Florida's first
commercial nursery.
In 1884, a small group of men from Vineland, NJ, launched what they termed a
colonization project. They formed a corporation called the "Clermont Improvement
Company." They chose the name Clermont for the corporation's general manager and
treasurer, Arthur F. Wrotnowski, whosh birthplace was Clermont-Ferrand, France.
At a town meeting in 1891, a vote was taken and the city was incorporated as the
"Town of Clermont, Lake County." The first city seal was a piece of paper about
the size of a silver dollar. The goal of these young men was to build a "model
town."
 Their dreams were realized. In later years, as a result of its beautiful homes,
well paved streets, its pristine lakes, well-kept lawns and enticing views, the
city became known as the "Gem of the Hills". One of the state's most natural
beauty spots, Clermont's elevation is 200 feet with a maximum of 332 feet.
Truly the crossroads of Florida, Clermont is located at the intersection of
State Road 50, which runs east and west across the state and U.S. Highway 27,
which runs north and south through the center of the state. Clermont is on a
chain of 16 lakes connected by the winding Palatlakaha River in the Ocklawaha
Basin of the tributaries of the St. Johns River, the only river system in the
United States that flows north. The city is approximately 25 miles west of
Orlando, Florida and approximately 25 miles northwest of Walt Disney World.
Contact Information:
City of Clermont
685 W. Montrose Street
P.O. Box 120219
Clermont, FL 34712-0219
Phone: (352) 394-4081
Fax: (352) 394-4087
http://clermont.govoffice.com
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