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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
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
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    • Mount Vernon / Lisbon Newspapers (1860 – 2012)
    • A Centennial History of Mount Vernon, Iowa: 1847-1947
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    • 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.


Main Street

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

Mount Vernon General Store Window

photo of Mount Vernon General Store Window
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Main Street

photo of Main Street-1919

Date @1919

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, The New Age

Trolley on Main Street

photo of Trolley on Main Street
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Men, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Main Street

photo of Main Street
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, The New Age, When is this?

Main Street

photo of Main Street
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags 35mm Slide Collection, Commercial Historic District, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?, Where is this?

Main Street

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

Main Street

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

Mount Vernon General Store

photo of Mount Vernon General Store
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, The New Age, When is this?

Main Street

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

Main Street

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

Main Street

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