The community was platted in 1805, and named after Mount Vernon, the estate owned by George Washington.

[5] In May 1953, the telephone exchange for the entire city was destroyed by fire, disrupting calls for months.

The theater, after many years of renovation and restoration, has been transformed into a local cultural and performing-arts center.

The Knox County Historical Society, with a building and extensive exhibits, makes its headquarters on Harcourt Road in Mount Vernon.

Exhibits feature information about Daniel Decatur Emmett, Paul Lynde, The Cooper Company and other subjects.

[8] The city lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and is surrounded by rolling hills and valleys.

It was acquired by Rolls-Royce North America, and in 2014 Siemens bought the Mount Vernon plant.

[14] Ariel Corporation, a major manufacturer[15] of reciprocating natural gas (and other gasses) compressors, is also located in Mount Vernon.

Two universities in Mount Vernon and nearby Gambier, Ohio provide hundreds of jobs to the local residents.