Dr. Steve Asman Spoke to Clermont Historical Society
Dr. Steve Asman moved to Clermont many years ago and established a family medicine practice here, but it was his discoveries in the waters of Lake Louisa that brought him to the Historical Society’s June meeting. Dr. Asman and his family have lived near the lake for many years. It was during the drought of 2000 when Lake Louise was six feet lower than it is today that he started running along the newly exposed shore. It was then he realized how the very dark water in the lake prevented vegetation from growing, there was no muck along those edges.
One day when he was driving across the bridge, he noticed what looked like a sand bar in the distance. This piqued his curiosity, and he decided to boat out there and investigate and there was a sand bar but there was even more. He discovered a long, narrow, old, wooded canoe. He contacted a park ranger who put him in touch with the state archaeologist. Carbon dating identified the canoe as being 3,400 years old—pre-historic! And the best part, there were two of them!
That is not all he found. On further trips to the sand bar, he noticed what later turned out to be the propellor of a missing World War II plane that crashed into Lake Louisa on a training mission. He would eventually learn the name of the young pilot and the fact that he was one of over 200 pilots who died during training in Florida.
Dr. Asman has written a book about his discoveries. He is holding it in the picture above.
There are lots of interesting stories about Clermont and its history—both long-ago and more recently. The Clermont Historic Village is the perfect place to learn some of these stories and spend a relaxing afternoon. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Minneola at 490 West Avenue, the Village is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00PM. A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is requested.
If you are interested in the history of Clermont in particular or history in general, why not consider joining the Historical Society. Dues are only $25.00 for an individual or $35.00 for a couple. The Historical Society meets on the second Monday of every month in the Railroad Depot at the Village. The board meetings start at 6:00 PM and are open to the public. The next meeting is July 14.