Mount Vernon, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Vernon, Wisconsin
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Main street in Mount Vernon
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 Mount Vernon, Wisconsin
Location in Wisconsin
Mount Vernon, Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Dane County |
| Elevation | 282 m (925 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 608 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1569853 |
Mount Vernon is a small, unincorporated community. It is located in the town of Springdale. You can find it in Dane County, Wisconsin, in the United States.
Contents
Exploring Mount Vernon's Past
Mount Vernon has a rich history. It all started around a special place called the "Big Spring." This spring is part of the Mount Vernon Creek, which flows into the Sugar River. People have known about this spring since the 1800s. It made Mount Vernon a great spot for early settlers.
Early Settlers and First Homes
An old cabin near the "Big Spring" is being studied by archaeologists. This cabin was built in the 1840s. It is thought to be the home of the George Patchin family. They were some of the first Western settlers here. The Patchins moved from Ohio in 1846.
How Mount Vernon Got Its Name
In 1847, the Britts family bought 200 acres of land. They built a mill on the river. The Britts family came from Virginia. They named their new settlement Mount Vernon. This name honored Mount Vernon, Virginia, their former home. The village was officially planned out in 1850. By 1852, about 12 families lived in Mount Vernon. A hotel called the Hotel De Allen was built. It had a saloon and a stable for horses.
Life in the Early Village
In 1858, a grist mill was built on the river. A grist mill grinds grain into flour. Farmers from nearby areas brought their grain here. They would also buy supplies from the general store. People who hauled lead from Western Wisconsin to Milwaukee often stopped in town. They would stay overnight at the hotels.
A Time of Trouble: The Byam Brothers
In 1852, Dr. Philander Byam and his two brothers bought much of the Britts' land. They also bought other lands nearby. This new area was called Byam's Addition to Mount Vernon. The Byam brothers became known for their dishonest business practices. They sold "patent rights" to local farmers that were worthless. They also sold village lots to people in New York State. They used fake pictures and misleading information. For example, they showed Mount Vernon as a large town with a steamboat on the Sugar River. In reality, the river is only about 15 to 20 feet wide. It is also only 1 to 2 feet deep in most places.
On October 24, 1859, about 70 residents held a meeting. They went to Dr. Byam's house to ask him to join them. Dr. Byam's wife said he was not home. So, the citizens began to take down his house. Eventually, Dr. Byam came outside. The group then went to the mill. There, they held a kind of trial. The Byams were told they had to leave within 24 hours. If they stayed, they would face serious consequences. One of the Byam brothers was treated roughly by the townspeople. The Byams left town the next morning. One brother tried to return for some hay. The townspeople saw him and burned his hay wagon.
Mount Vernon in the Late 1800s
By 1880, Mount Vernon had over 100 residents. The village had many local businesses. These included two hotels with saloons. There was also a leather goods and tanning shop. The general store, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, and a slaughterhouse were also present.
Mount Vernon Today
Today, Mount Vernon is a quiet community. It has several homes and small businesses. There is also a church and a small park.
Where is Mount Vernon?
Mount Vernon is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of Mount Horeb. It is also about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Madison. You can find it where County Highway G and Wisconsin Highway 92 meet. The community is on the eastern edge of Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Donald Park borders Mount Vernon on two sides. This county park is 480 acres (1.9 km2) large. It is located at the start of the Sugar River.
Famous People from Mount Vernon
Some notable people have connections to Mount Vernon:
- Emma Amelia Cranmer – She was a reformer who worked for temperance. She also supported women's right to vote and was a writer.
- Herman Dahle – He served as a U.S. Representative, which means he was a member of the United States Congress.
- John Donald – He was a politician in Wisconsin and also a dentist.
- Fred Haefliger – He was a highly decorated U.S. Marine.
