Montverde is on the west shore of Lake Apopka 17 miles south of Tavares and 30 miles from Leesburg. The site of an early Indian settlement, one may take note of the burial grounds, pottery, beads and arrowheads found in the area. The first residents arrived in 1865 and called the place West Lake Apopka. Tradition says it was later called “Monte Verde,” spanish for green mountain, by someone from Vermont who came across Lake Apopka and was impressed by the rolling green hills.