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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
      • Commercial NRHP Registration Form.pdf
    • Cornell College District
      • Cornell College District Description
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
    • Ash Park District – Photos
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    • Mount Vernon / Lisbon Newspapers (1860 – 2012)
    • A Centennial History of Mount Vernon, Iowa: 1847-1947
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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.


Bauman’s Men’s Big and Tall Clothing Store

Bauman's Men's Big and Tall Clothing Store

Bauman’s Men’s Big and Tall Clothing Store in the Commercial District. Built in 1906 – … Read more …

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

Intersection Highway IA #1 and First Street

Intersection Highway IA #1 and First Street

Intersection Highway IA #1 and First Street in the commercial district. Note: Mural by local … Read more …

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

Lora’s Women’s Shop and Kitchen Ware Shop

Lora's Women's Shop and Kitchen Ware Shop

Lora’s Women’s Shop (right) and Kitchen Ware Shop (left) in the commercial district. Picture taken … Read more …

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

Main Street Signal Light

Main Street Signal Light

Signal light at corner of Main Street and Highway #1 in the Commercial District. Picture … Read more …

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

Community Parade

Community Parade

Community parade (with band) circa 1905.– Probably going to the cemetery. Note buildings on the … Read more …

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

Cornell Drug Store

Cornell Drug Store

Cornell Drug Store. Weebles and 3 other small shops. Note dirt street, board sidewalk, trash, … 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

Main Street

Main Street

Description Mount Vernon Main Street looking East to West Date @1907

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

Hack

Hack

Description “Hack” which ran back and forth from the railroad station to the hotels at … Read more …

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

Main Street

Main Street

Description Note: excellent photo of this block before demolition and uniform set-back. (@1915) The third … Read more …

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

Unidentified Men

Unidentified Men

Description Three unidentified males/ The World Loves a Well Tailored Man Date @1910

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

100 Block First Street NW

100 Block First Street NW

Description 100 Block First Street NW in the Commercial District Date 1990

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

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

6 days ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
From the old Military Road and the railroad to Highway 30 and the bypass, transportation has been one of the biggest influences in the development of Mount Vernon. Read all about how transportation brought architectural change and growth to the town in this illuminating article on our website. ... See MoreSee Less

Our Architectural Heritage in Historical Context - Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

mvhpc.org

Share with your friendsMount Vernon has historic structures that date from the 1840s to the ... Read more ...
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

1 week ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
On this MLK Day, let's remember a very special time in 1962 when Martin Luther King Jr. visited Cornell College and lectured to a packed house in King Chapel. Visit the Cornell College archive link below the see pictures, letters, articles, and more about this momentous day in Mount Vernon and Cornell College history. ... See MoreSee Less

MLK Visit · Cornell College Archives

omeka.cornellcollege.edu

Archive Displays and Exhibits
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
A new addition to our digital archives, The Virgil Crofter Collection features the autobiography and photographs of Virgil Crofter, life-long resident of Mount Vernon and the surrounding areas. Donated and prepared by Carolyn Wellso, the Virgil Crofter Collection is an invaluable documentation of rural life and Czech heritage along the Red Cedar River. It is a true gem within our archive and a must-read for anyone interested in Mount Vernon history. ... See MoreSee Less

The Virgil Crofter Collection - Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

mvhpc.org

Table of Contents click to show 1) In the Words of Virgil Crofter 1.1) Ivanhoe ... Read more ...
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