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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Exploring the Stories and History of Mount Vernon, Iowa

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    • Ash Park District
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    • Commercial District
      • Commercial District Description
      • Commercial District Walking Tour
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    • A Short History of Mount Vernon
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    • Mount Vernon / Lisbon Newspapers (1860 – 2012)
    • A Centennial History of Mount Vernon, Iowa: 1847-1947
    • A Survey of Brick Buildings in Mount Vernon, Iowa 1850-1859
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Commercial District – Photos

Photo of Painting of Downtown Southside Sun Newspaper by Mark Benesh

If you want to see where it all began, take a stroll through the Commercial District. Mount Vernon began as a town which serviced travelers along the first north-south highway in the state: Highway One. The town consisted of dry goods stores, repair shops for wagons and harnesses, and a watering trough at the intersection of Main Street and Highway One. This intersection was the birthplace of Mount Vernon.

Today the Commercial District harbors several outstanding restaurants, antique shops, and boutiques. The district also serves as headquarters for many of Mount Vernon’s quintessential events—Chalk the Walk, Chili Cook-Off, Magical Night—so stop by! No matter the season, there’s always something exciting happening in the Commercial District.


Crazy Days @1960s

Photo of Bill & Smitty Neal at Crazy Days

Bill & Smitty Neal, owners of Neal’s Water Conditioning, dressed up for Crazy Days.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District

Crazy Days @1960s

Photo of 4 women standing in front of An-Nu dress shop

Inez Litts, Carmen Kamberling, Marcella Goodyear, Smitty Neal in front of An-Nu dress shop.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District

Crazy Days @1960s

Photo of Jay Fordyce and Leoral Evans at Crazy Days

Mount Vernon Bank President Jay Fordyce & Vice President Leoral Evans standing in front of … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon Bank

D. C. Davis & Son Grocery Store @1920s

Photo of D.C. Davis & Son Letterhead

D. C. Davis & Son Grocery Store @1920s. Submitted by Marianne Zahorik, Great Granddaughter of … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos Tags Commercial Historic District

Commercial Historic District Map

Photo of Commercial Historic District

Commercial Historic District Map

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos

Jap Bloom @ 1957

Photo of Jap Bloom

Jap Bloom, proprietor of Bloom’s bookstore, Mt. Vernon’s oldest businessman, was presented a paid-up life … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Silver Spider & Palisades Café @2019

Photo of Ann Silva & Elizabeth

Silver Spider & Palisades Café @2019

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags 117 1/2 First Street West, Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Jasper Bloom

Photo of Bookseller Jasper Bloom

Jasper W. “Jap” Bloom was the proprietor of Bloom’s bookstore and Mount Vernon’s oldest businessman.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, Wolfe Block

Garden Club-2004

Photo of Garden Club-2004

Garden Club-2004 Members of the Garden Club decorated Main Street containers for the holidays. Photography … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Garden Club

Mount Vernon Post Office @ 1914 – 1920

Photo of Mount Vernon Post Office

Mount Vernon Post Office. Donated by Marie West Berry. “Post Office when Dad was P.M.” … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Organizations Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon Post Office

Pandemic 2020-Skillet Cafe

Photo of sign in Skillet Cafe window

Pandemic 2020-Skillet Cafe

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, Pandemic 2020

Pandemic 2020-Right Frame of Mind

Photo of Right Frame of Mind

Pandemic 2020-Right Frame of Mind

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, Pandemic 2020
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
Gone but not Forgotten!According to The Centennial History of Mount Vernon Iowa "A mass meeting of citizens in 1902 decided that a new hotel was a most compelling need. Traffic along the Lincoln Highway was increasing, and it was felt that Mount Vernon should bid for patronage of the traveling public. A stock company was at once organized ; shares selling at $100 each." The Altoona Hotel was built on the current site of the Mount Vernon Visitors Center and was opened to guests in 1903. As transportation to Cedar Rapids was more easily available, Altoona Hotel/Hall took on different functions, including as an Army barracks in WWI and housing for Cornell students later. Altoona Hall was demolished in 1985. ... See MoreSee Less

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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
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4 weeks ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
The Dr Luther L. and Susette E. (Baker) Pease house was built in the 1850s and resides at 600 1st Ave SE, which was known as "The Military Road." The house was added to the National Register in 2020. This house was built of locally manufactured brick by Henry and/or Albright. The lower front windows actually open as doorways. The original house had distinctive U-shaped brick corbels throughout. Only one such corbel still exists. A less ornate addition was added in 1866. Dr Luther L Pease was born in Massachusetts and moved to Ft Dodge in 1854, where he practiced medicine and served prominently in the City and County. Susette E. Baker Pease was born in New York. They married in 1861. During a run for State Senate in 1859, Dr. Pease was accused by the Ft Dodge Democratic newspaper of being an "out-and-out Abolitionist who desires the colored race placed on an equality with the white man." Luther and Susette moved to Mt Vernon in Late 1869 where they purchased a lot in Saxby's 2nd Addition to Mount Vernon. Shortly after they arrived, Luther was appointed as postmaster, and later as head of a "full ticket of prohibition temperance" the town elected Luther to be the City's first mayor. ... See MoreSee Less

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