223 First Street NW

Oculus window Victorian architectural detail

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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

Gone but not Forgotten!According to The Centennial History of Mount Vernon Iowa "A mass meeting of citizens in 1902 decided that a new hotel was a most compelling need. Traffic along the Lincoln Highway was increasing, and it was felt that Mount Vernon should bid for patronage of the traveling public. A stock company was at once organized ; shares selling at $100 each." The Altoona Hotel was built on the current site of the Mount Vernon Visitors Center and was opened to guests in 1903. As transportation to Cedar Rapids was more easily available, Altoona Hotel/Hall took on different functions, including as an Army barracks in WWI and housing for Cornell students later. Altoona Hall was demolished in 1985. ... See MoreSee Less

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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

2 weeks ago

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Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission

4 weeks ago

The Dr Luther L. and Susette E. (Baker) Pease house was built in the 1850s and resides at 600 1st Ave SE, which was known as "The Military Road." The house was added to the National Register in 2020. This house was built of locally manufactured brick by Henry and/or Albright. The lower front windows actually open as doorways. The original house had distinctive U-shaped brick corbels throughout. Only one such corbel still exists. A less ornate addition was added in 1866. Dr Luther L Pease was born in Massachusetts and moved to Ft Dodge in 1854, where he practiced medicine and served prominently in the City and County. Susette E. Baker Pease was born in New York. They married in 1861. During a run for State Senate in 1859, Dr. Pease was accused by the Ft Dodge Democratic newspaper of being an "out-and-out Abolitionist who desires the colored race placed on an equality with the white man." Luther and Susette moved to Mt Vernon in Late 1869 where they purchased a lot in Saxby's 2nd Addition to Mount Vernon. Shortly after they arrived, Luther was appointed as postmaster, and later as head of a "full ticket of prohibition temperance" the town elected Luther to be the City's first mayor. ... See MoreSee Less

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