How Mount Vernon Grew

Scroll Down ↓ or Click Here

Screenshot from the map inside of "How Mount Vernon Grew".

Here you will find a detailed account of Mount Vernon’s growth over the years, created by Richard Thomas and Mitch Bloomquist. History and topography come together to tell the story of how Cornell College, The Military Road, and settlers influenced the town’s development.

Creator

Richard H. Thomas with graphics by Mitch Bloomquist

Date

Life of the Town to 1950s

Click to Download/View (How-Mount-Vernon-Grew.pdf, 7.58MB)

Cover for Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

6 days ago

The MVHPC just learned that on November 15, 2022 Mount Vernon's Visitors Center was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Contributing Resource to the Cornell College Historic District. We are grateful to Jennifer of Price Preservation Research in Coralville and to the Commission's annual budget from the City of Mount Vernon that was sufficient for us to complete this project.The Wolfe Brothers Medical Office building was constructed in 1912 (on the current location of Mount Vernon Bank) as the office for doctors and brothers Thomas L (1871-1951) and John D. Wolfe (1867-1921). The Wolfe Brothers were local entrepreneurs and community leaders who built 3 other buildings in Mount Vernon. After 55 years as a medical office, the building served as a law office for Thomas's son Richard B. and Richard's son Douglas D. Wolfe. In 1990, the Wolfe family donated the building to Mount Vernon as a community building and Mount Vernon Bank and Trust paid for it to be moved to its current location in Memorial Park.Today this Classical Revival building serves as the Mount Vernon Visitors Center and the office of the Director of the Community Development Group (CDG). In granting Contributing status, the National Trust for Historic Preservation acknowledges this building's significance to the community and its architectural integrity. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

We just received information about the builder of this lovely 4-Square house in Mount Vernon's Ash Park Historic District from a descendant who lives in Cedar Rapids. The house was built in 1912 by Joshua Emmert Lahman, who died later that year. Three generations of Lahman's lived in the house prior to the time that Martha Florence Lahman died in 1974. Joshua Lahman was a carpenter by trade who started his own company when he moved to Mount Vernon. His great, great, great grand nephew reports that Joshua built every railroad bridge in eastern Iowa from the Mississippi to Des Moines. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

3 weeks ago

The Augustus and Elizabeth (Huntsburger) Bauman house at 601 1st Ave (Hwy 1) was one of 11 brick houses added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. Built of locally manufactured soft brick and locally quarried limestone, the 1854 Early Republic style house is typical of the Military Road era of Mount Vernon. The Baumans were both born in Lancaster Pa, and Mr. Bauman went on to flourish in his mercantile and real estate endeavors. Bauman's Addition to Mount Vernon was platted in 1857. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Chinese (Simplified)