Clermont was founded in 1884 and named for the French birthplace of A.F. Wrotniski, manager of the Clermont Improvement Company, formed for land development. The city was incorporated in 1916. Much of the county initiallly was developed as orange and other citrus groves, which was the basis of the economy through the mid-20th century. For instance, Apshawa Groves owned and worked large expanses of land in the county. It later became a major real estate company. Tourism also became increasingly important.