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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
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      • Cornell College District Description
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    • Mount Vernon Photos
    • Ash Park District – Photos
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  • History
    • A Short History of Mount Vernon
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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.


Main Street

photo of Main Street
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, When is this?

Bauman’s on Main Street

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street
Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags 35mm Slide Collection, Commercial Historic District, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, When is this?

Bauman & Co.

photo of Bauman & Co.

On main street

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

Ben Franklin

photo of Ben Franklin

Store on Main Street.

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street-1905

Looking West on First Street towards Presbyterian Church. Note number of awnings on north side, … Read more …

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street-1910

Main street east looking west. dirt streets ad board sidewalk. Only the large corner building … Read more …

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

Main Street

photo of Main Street-1885

Main street looking west from highway 1. Note wooden sidewalks, hitching posts. Photo @ 1885. … Read more …

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

Funeral Procession

photo of Funeral Procession-1900

Note: Board sidewalks, animal watering tank in middle of Hi Way #1 and Main Street. … Read more …

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

Mount Vernon Bank & Trust Company

photo of Mount Vernon Bank & Trust Company

Mount Vernon Bank

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Glass Negative, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Bank & Trust Company, Welcome Page Slider, When is this?

Fire

photo of Fire-1967

Date @1967

Categories Commercial District - Photos, Mount Vernon's Historic Photos Tags Fashion, Fire, Mount Vernon, Where is this?

Fire

photo of Fire-1975

Date @1975

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