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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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      • Procedures of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission
      • Design Guidelines
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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
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
    • Ash Park District – Photos
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  • History
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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 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.


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

Nitty Gritty-2018

Photo of Nitty Gritty-2018

Nitty Gritty-2018. July 4th festival.

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

105 First Street NW

Photo of 105 First Street NW

105 First Street NW. Right Frame of Mind Photo taken April 15, 2020 during Covid19 … Read more …

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

Main Street Iowa-2019

Photo of Main Street Iowa-2019

Main Street Iowa-2019 Mount Vernon hosted a statewide Main Street Iowa conference on March 21-22, … Read more …

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

Main Street Iowa-2019

Photo of Main Street Iowa-2019

Main Street Iowa-2019 Mount Vernon hosted a statewide Main Street Iowa conference on March 21-22, … Read more …

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

Main Street Iowa-2019

Photo of MSI participants

Mount Vernon hosted a statewide Main Street Iowa workshop on March 21-22, 2019. Photo left-right: … Read more …

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

100 First Street East-Inside Neff Furniture Store (circa 1909)

Photo of the inside of Neff Furniture Store, circa 1909

Inside Neff Furniture Store when it stood at 100 1st St. E. Pictured are C.W. … Read more …

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

Election Bet-1968

Photo of Paul Scott pushing Doc Sautter in wheelbarrow

Election Bet 1968. Paul Scott pushing Doc Sautter in a wheelbarrow heading East on First … Read more …

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

Dewey Humphries Election Bet-1968

Photo of Dewey Humphries posting the election bet poster

Dewey Humphries Election Bet 1968

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

Election Bet-1968 Bob Sautter, Paul Scott

Photo of Paul Scott pushing Doc Sautter in wheelbarrowr

Election Bet 1968 Bob Sautter, Paul Scott

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

Election Bet-1968

Photo of Doc Sauter sitting in a wheelbarrow

Election Bet 1968 Chuck Swanney, Bob Sautter, Joe Meade & Paul Scott

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

Policeman Earl Wolvers

photo of Earl Wolvers and his squad car

Policeman Earl Wolvers and his squad car. Date @1970

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