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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
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    • Ash Park District
      • Ash Park District Description
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      • Commercial District Description
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
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    • Mount Vernon / Lisbon Newspapers (1860 – 2012)
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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.


Store Sign

photo of a Store Sign

unknown store; window advertising Date @1910

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

Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Downtown Mount Vernon

View of Main Street from 2nd Avenue East. Note brick paving. 100 Block First Street … 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

View of north main street from the south side. Printed backwards. Date @1910

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

Unidentified Men

photo of Unidentified Men

Two unidentified men standing in storefront door. Date @1910

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

Unidentified Women

photo of Unidentified Women

Two unidentified women walking on main street and Highway 1. Note the building in the … Read more …

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

Aerial Photograph of Mount Vernon

photo of Aerial Photograph of Mount Vernon

Aerial photograph in a series taken of the city on May 12th, 1975. One can … Read more …

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

Aerial Photograph of Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Aerial Photograph of Downtown Mount Vernon

Aerial photograph in a series taken of the city on May 12th, 1975. View from … Read more …

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

Aerial Photograph of Mount Vernon

photo of Aerial Photograph of Mount Vernon

Looking north, focused on downtown. Date @1948

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Aerial, Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, The New Age

Aerial of Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Aerial of Downtown Mount Vernon

Aerial photograph of the city in a series taken on May 12th, 1975. Facing southwest. … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Aerial, Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon, The New Age

Downtown Mount Vernon

photo of Downtown Mount Vernon

Mayor Nicholas Berry promoted the planning of the Main Street trees. Date @1980

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

Mural by Micky Woods

photo of Mural by Micky Woods

Mural by Micky Woods (local artist) at corner of First St and highway #1. Created … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags 35mm Slide Collection, Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon

Unidentified Man In Front of a Shop

photo of Unidentified Man In Front of a Shop

Unidentified man in front of shop (possibly Bauman’s men’s clothing store). Date @1910

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