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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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    • About Us
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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
      • Commercial NRHP Registration Form.pdf
    • Cornell College District
      • Cornell College District Description
      • Cornell College NRHP Registration Form.pdf
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
    • Ash Park District – Photos
    • Commercial District – Photos
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    • A Short History of Mount Vernon
    • Map of How Mount Vernon Grew
    • Brick Homes on the NRHP & Nomination Forms
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    • Building Genealogies
    • High School History Reports
    • Architectural Curriculum
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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
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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.


Painting of Downtown Southside Sun Newspaper by Mark Benesh

Photo of Painting of Downtown Southside Sun Newspaper by Mark Benesh

Painting of Downtown Southside Sun Newspaper by Mark Benesh. Image used with permission from artist.

Categories Commercial District - Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Painting of Downtown Southside Baumans by Mark Benesh

Photo of Painting of Downtown Southside Baumans by Mark Benesh

Painting of Downtown Southside Baumans by Mark Benesh. Image used by permission from artist.

Categories Commercial District - Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Painting of Downtown Northside Lincoln Cafe by Mark Benesh

Photo of Downtown Northside Lincoln Cafe

Painting of Downtown Northside Lincoln Cafe by Mark Benesh. Image is displayed by permission from … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Fuel Painting by Mark Benesh

Photo of Fuel Painting by Mark Benesh

Mark Benesh gave permission for this image to be on the MVHPC website.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Bauman & Company-May 2020

Photo of Mike Smith

Mike Smith helps with the window restoration of Bauman & Company.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2015

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2015

Chalk the Walk-2015

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2015

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2015

Chalk the Walk-2015

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2010

Photo of two girls playing cello and violin

Chalk the Walk-2010. Two girls entertaining at the festival.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2010

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2010

Chalk the Walk-2010

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2013 Juggler performs

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2013 Juggler performs

Chalk the Walk-2013 Juggler performs

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2010 Wizard of Oz

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2010 Wizard of Oz

Chalk the Walk-2010 Wizard of Oz

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon

Chalk the Walk-2009 From the Roof

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2009 From the Roof

Chalk the Walk-2009 From the Roof

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Chalk the Walk, Commercial Historic District, Festivals, Mount Vernon
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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

18 hours 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

5 days 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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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

1 week ago

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
Perhaps with a bit of matching snow on the ground we can finally identify this Mount Vernon home. Developed on a glass negative, this two-story house features a small front porch and a bay window on the side. We don't have a specific date for this photo, so know that some architectural details of the house might have changed over time. Now pull on your wooly detective's cap and help us locate this deceptive domicile! ... See MoreSee Less

Unidentified House - Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

mvhpc.org

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