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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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      • Procedures of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
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  • Historic Districts
    • Owning Property in a Historic District
    • Ash Park District
      • Ash Park District Description
      • Ash Park Walking Tour
      • Ash Park NRHP Registration Form.pdf
    • Commercial District
      • Commercial District Description
      • Commercial District Walking Tour
      • Commercial NRHP Registration Form.pdf
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      • Cornell College District Description
      • Cornell College NRHP Registration Form.pdf
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
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  • History
    • 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
    • 2023 Play: “Treasure”
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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.


Fire

photo of Fire

Photo taken by John Shackford Date @1975

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Fashion, Fire, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Men, Mount Vernon

Unidentified News Article

photo of Unidentified News Article
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Cornell College-Mount Vernon Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Welcome to Historic Mount Vernon Sign

photo of Welcome to Historic Mount Vernon Sign

Side view of Skillet

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Front Door of Skillet

photo of Front Door of Skillet
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Full Picture of Skillet

Full picture of Skillet

Welcome sign and front door

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Windows Above Skillet

photo of Windows Above Skillet
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Full Picture of Front of Skillet

photo of Front of Skillet
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

The Northside

photo of The Northside

A shop on main street that is now the restaurant called Skillet

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

The Northside

photo of The Northside

A shop on main street that is now a restaurant called Skillet

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Fuel Coffee Shop

photo of Fuel Coffee Shop

A shop on main street

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

The Northside and Fuel Coffee Shop

photo of The Northside and Fuel Coffee Shop

The Northside is now Skillet

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Skillet and Fuel

photo of Skillet and Fuel

Restaurant and coffee shop on main street

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?
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