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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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      • Cornell College District Description
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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.


Main Street

photo of Main Street @1980

Photo of main street 100 block west (north side). Date @1980

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

Main Street Postcard

photo of Main Street Postcard

Note railroad service track for freight at left. Note brick paving. Note lamp posts design. … Read more …

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street

Photograph of 117 1st Street W. (Wolfe block) taken in 1990s. Date @1990

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street

Note: North west 100 Block, street light fixtures Date @1915

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, Pastimes, Who am I?, Women

Parade

photo of Parade

Parade – corner of 2nd Ave W and 1 st St SE

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?, Who am I?, Women

Main Street

photo of Main Street

Photograph of Upper (west) main street. NOTE: Large doors on City Hall were for Fire … Read more …

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

City Hall

photo of City Hall

Photograph of city hall from 1909. Replaced in 1914 at new location. Date @1909

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags City Hall, Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon

Moving the Visitors Center

photo of Moving the Visitors Center

Placing the trailer under the lifted building Date @1990

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, Wolfe Brother's Office

Possibly a Political Rally

photo of Possibly a Political Rally

Political rally? Courtesy of Cornell College Archives (Mount Vernon, Iowa) Date @1950

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Ask R Thomas, Commercial Historic District, Cornell Students, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Men, Mount Vernon, Who am I?

Downtown

photo of Downtown

Pressed tin facade on this building and the one story building to the east (right). … Read more …

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

Women Walking Downtown

photo of Women Walking Downtown

This image has been printed backwards. These two women can be seen walking in front … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, Pastimes, When is this?, Who am I?, Women

Chicago Symphony Members Downtown

photo of Chicago Symphony Members Downtown

Reported to be members of the Chicago Symphony during May Music Festival; Note: brick streets … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Men, Mount Vernon, Pastimes, The New Age, Who am I?
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