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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
      • 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.


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

Chalk the Walk-2008 Dawn Wagner California Madonnari artist

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2008 Dawn Wagner California Madonnari artist

Chalk the Walk-2008 Dawn Wagner California Madonnari artist

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

Chalk the Walk-2007 Aerial entire street

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2007 Aerial entire street

Chalk the Walk-2007 Aerial entire street

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

Chalk the Walk-2006 Stone City

Photo of Chalk the Walk-2006 Stone City

Chalk the Walk-2006 Stone City

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

Nitty Gritty-2017

Photo of Nitty Gritty-2017

Nitty Gritty-2017. 100 block of First Street West during the July 4th festival.

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Festivals, July 4th, Mount Vernon

Nitty Gritty-2017

Photo of Nitty Gritty-2017

Nitty Gritty-2017. The Skillet Cafe was packed during the July 4th celebration. Owners are Fran … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Festivals, July 4th, Mount Vernon

Nitty Gritty-2017

Photo of Nitty Gritty-2017

Nitty Gritty-2017 Visitors trying out chairs from Make It Old Iron at the July 4th … Read more …

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Festivals, July 4th, Mount Vernon

Nitty Gritty-2018

Photo of Nitty Gritty-2018

Nitty Gritty-2018. Annual July 4th festival

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Commercial Historic District, Festivals, July 4th, Mount Vernon
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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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