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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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  • Historic Districts
    • Owning Property in a Historic District
    • Ash Park District
      • Ash Park District Description
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    • 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
    • A Survey of Brick Buildings in Mount Vernon, Iowa 1850-1859
    • 2023 Treasure Play
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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.


Parade

photo of Parade

RETURN for details – newspapers etc parade related to www @1918? Date @ 1918?

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Ask R Thomas, Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Men, Mount Vernon, Women

Richard Wolfe

photo of Richard Wolfe

R.B. Wolfe (attorney) practiced law at this location for about 50 years. Previously his father … Read more …

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

Skillet Cafe

photo of Skillet Cafe

Returned to original windows style. Historic corner of Highway 101 First Street NW Date 2010

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

High School

photo of High School

See Mt Vernon Centennial Book for story of building. Becomes Middle School, then sold to … Read more …

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

Stearn’s Garage

photo of Stearn's Garage

Stearn’s Garage on 100 block East Main street (north side). Date @1926

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

Shoe Store

photo of Shoe Store

Shoe store operated by Frank Benesh I on Main Street. Frank may be one on … 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

Snowed In

photo of Snowed In

Snow scene — Methodist Church and Guild Hall visible. Date @1910

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

Unidentified Workers

photo of Unidentified Workers

Taylor shop. Three women and two men. Note location infront of widows for best day … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Fashion, Glass Negative, Men, Mount Vernon, Who am I?, Women

Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Downtown Mount Vernon

Main Street (1st Ave. & 1st St) with horse water tank before 1914. Rood and … Read more …

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

Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Downtown Mount Vernon

The 100 West block merhant area. Note watering trawf at intersection, board sidewalk and dirt … Read more …

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

Unidentified Men

photo of Unidentified Men

Three unidentified men sitting in front of a shop. Sign reads: “All the world loves … Read more …

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

Wolfe Block

photo of Wolfe Block

Wolfe block well before the fire of 1975 — all stores/space occupied. City Hall 1915 … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Ask R Thomas, Commercial Historic District, Fire, Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, Wolfe Block
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 years ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
The MVHPC partnered with the Linn County Historic Preservation Commission and the Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group on the placement of two new informational kiosks about the history of the Lincoln Hwy in Lisbon and Mount Vernon. There was a commemoration at the Kiosk in Lisbon on Oct. 6 with a poem created for the event by Poet Laureate Amanda Kibbie. The MV Kiosk is located in Prairie Park next to the Cornell football field. The MV kiosk faces one of the last remaining brick portions of the Lincoln Hwy and is near the 10th Avenue Overpass. The overpass was built in approximately 1910 as a part of the Lincoln Hwy. Credit to Steven Ciha of the LCHPC for images. ... See MoreSee Less

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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 years ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
UPDATE!!! Thanks to Jay and Arlie Willems, the circa 1910 glass negatives are now in the Mount Vernon Archives. We are grateful to Arlie and Jay for transporting the negatives and to Joe Burkart of Crestview Florida for donating them.Photo collectors in Crestview Florida have glass plate negatives of a photographer named Hodson who worked in and around Mount Vernon in 1910. The collectors have offered the negatives to the MVHPC. The plates are fragile and very heavy, so shipping them is not a good option. Is anyone planning to travel by car to Florida anytime in the next year and willing pick up these negatives in the panhandle of the state? If so, please send a message on this site to the site administrator. ... See MoreSee Less
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission updated their status.

2 years ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

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