Mt. Vernon's Hotel De Allen
The first hotel in Mt. Vernon was built by John Jones Sr. By 1860, a hotel named the "Hotel De Allen" was built and operated by Mr. Charles C. Allen. New barns were built, a saloon, and later an addition to the hotel were added, making it a convenient and comfortable stopping place for travelers. Farmers who brought their grain by wagon to Mt. Vernon to be milled often needed a place to stay overnight before returning home. Businessmen, travelers, and new doctors in town all stayed at the Hotel De Allen. Mr. Allen died in March, 1880. His wife then took charge of the hotel.
In 1878, Mr. Charles. C. Allen witnessed and aided in the rescue of several people who ventured out in the mill pond on a dilapidated flat-bottomed boat. As the story goes, George Martin, the school teacher had gone home for lunch. Several students Carrie McCord, Ida Van Norman, Lottie Way, Charles Allen Jr., and Dell Foye decided to take a boat ride after they had finished their lunches, even though they had been told not to use the boat. Alta McCord and Alex Osborne stayed on the shore. Without a warning, the boat suddenly tipped, spilling the children. The children who were on the shore ran quickly to the Allen Hotel screaming for help. Mr. Allen was sitting on the hotel steps. He heard the screaming, ran to the water's edge and jumped into the water to aid in the rescue. Unaware that his heavy boats were going to sink him, he too had to be rescued by the children on the shore. Carrie McCord was revived by Dr. Donald. Charles Allen Jr., Dell Foye and Lottie Way rescued themselves, but two of the children drowned. Ida was 16 years old and Alex was 14 years of age.