Add YOUR Family To This Page

flag  History of Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

Journey back in time to Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

Explore Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.

Do You Have Mount Vernon Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA - Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA - U.S. Post Office

Founded in 1819, it was initially to be named Mount Pleasant but, after intense debate, was named instead for George Washington’s home (see Mount Vernon) in Virginia. The Illinois Supreme Court was located in Mount Vernon (1856–96), and Abraham Lincoln argued and won a tax case there in 1859.

britannica.com

Explore even more about Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA. Keep reading!



Mount Vernon Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA - U.S. Post Office
Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

Postcard
Pinterest    
U.S. Post Office
Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA - First Presbyterian Church
Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

Postcard
Pinterest    
First Presbyterian Church
Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA - Hotel Emmerson
Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

Postcard
Pinterest    
Hotel Emmerson

"...Perhaps the most famous and elegant of any of Mt. Vernon's old hotels was the Hotel Emmerson. Opened in 1926 as the New Mt. Vernon Hotel, the building quickly became a Mt. Vernon Landmark. The hotel was five stories high and had 150 rooms; rates started at $1.75. Many Mt. Vernon residents can remember the "human fly" who climbed the northwest corner of the hotel soon after its opening. The hotel was considered fire-proof because there were no wooden floors or walls in its construction. The Emmerson, famous for its fine dining and meeting facilities, was used frequently by community clubs such as the Car Shop Women. Between 1929..." www.lib.niu.edu

Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to MOUNT VERNON

Buy it NOW!

ILLINOIS Gift Idea - Deep Dish Pizza, Chicago-Style Hot Dog and Chicago Mix Popcorn - I Love Illinois! - IL Mug Family History

Our Illinois-inspired Ceramic Mug is here to showcase your love for all things Illinois, featuring vibrant, mouthwatering designs of deep dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog, and the classic Chicago Mix popcorn.

ILLINOIS ROOTS - I'm from ILLINOIS! Deep Dish Identity Crisis Mug

Celebrate your Illinois roots with humor and style with our "I'm from Illinois! Deep Dish Identity Crisis Mug". This ceramic mug is perfect for anyone who understands that deep dish pizza is more than just food—it's a cultural statement.

Discover Mount Vernon: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add History/News/Story
1817 - Mount Vernon Founded
Mt. Vernon was founded in 1817 by Zadok Casey, who was elected to the State Senate in 1822 and was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1833. He served in the U.S. Congress between 1833 and 1843. The town was named for George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon, which was named for Edward Vernon, a British naval hero.
wikipedia.org
1854 - Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, a post-village, capital of Jefferson county, Illinois, 135 miles S. S. E. from Springfield. It contains a court house, three or more churches, and several stores.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
February 19, 1888 - A tornado struck Mount Vernon IL. The tornado killed sixteen persons along its 62 mile path.

WeatherForYou.com
1895 - Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, a post-village, capital of Jefferson co., Ill., on the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad, 77 miles E.S.E. of St. Louis, Mo., and about 20 miles S.E. of Centralia. It contains a court-house, 2 banks, 4 churches, 2 newspaper offices, 2 steam flour-mills, a woollen-mill, a saw mill, and some railroad machine-shops. Pop. (1890) 3233.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1906
Mount Vernon, a banking city, capital of Jefferson co., Ill., on the Louisville and Nashville, the Wabash and other railroads, 77 miles SE. of St. Louis, Mo. It has manufactures of railroad-cars, axe-handles, four, and lumber. Pop. in 1900, 5216.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
Here's a list of the best places to go and things to do in Mount Vernon:
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts:

A haven for art lovers, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts features a stunning sculpture park and rotating exhibitions. It's a great place to appreciate contemporary and classical art.

Veterans Memorial Park:

Pay your respects and take a peaceful stroll through Veterans Memorial Park. The park honors the sacrifices of military veterans and provides a serene setting for reflection.

Jefferson County Historical Village:

History buffs will love exploring the Jefferson County Historical Village. This living history museum consists of numerous historic buildings, including a log cabin, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.

Rend Lake:

Nature enthusiasts can head to Rend Lake for outdoor activities. Fishing, boating, and hiking are popular here. The lake also has beautiful picnic spots, making it a great place for a family day out.

King City Square Shopping Center:

If you're in the mood for shopping, King City Square is the place to be. With... Read MORE...

Discover YOUR Roots: Mount Vernon Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

We currently have information about 12 ancestors who were born or died in Mount Vernon.

View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)



Ancestors Who Were Married in Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Mount Vernon.

View Them Now

Not the place you are looking for? Try again!

Search for YOUR Family by Place

To search for a place, specify place name below. Choose name from the list. Then SEARCH.
*Place Name:


Our Genealogy Gift Ideas

Visit Our Store

Ancestry Family Tree Search

Search for YOUR Family by Name

NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.

First Name (and Middle Name if applicable):
*Last Name:
Gender:
Born (+/- 2 years):
Died (+/- 2 years):
Match all terms exactly:

Updated: 9/29/2023 8:40:26 AM