Fish – Hiatt Building

Fish – Hiatt Building. . The Elkin Hotel structure stood on this site from the time of its construction around 1820 until its demolition in 1905. Originally built by Rueben Elkin, it was a two-story wooden clapboard building with a wood shingled roof. This was Mt. Vernon’s first hotel (other than Stephen Langford’s tavern) and it was well known for being the first establishment in the area to use a bell that could be heard up and down Main Street to call people to meals.

In 1899 James F. Houk purchased the building and operated as Houk and Sons General store until they sold the building to Jesse Fish in 1902.

Jesse’s son, Jones P. Fish moved the business into a temporary building so that the Elkin Building could be replaced with the masonry stone building you see now. It opened as J. Fish in 1906. The main entrance was originally the door opening to Church Street. If you look closely at the pavement outside this door, you can still see the fish imprints in the sidewalk which marked the main entrance for shoppers. The concrete blocks were created on site by C. Shipp from Corbin, and the masonry work was completed by John H. Ramsey. In March 1909, A.J. Fish had a glass front installed and changed the entry to face Main Street. The Signal reported that Fritz Krueger began excavating for the new building for J. Fish and W.L. Richards also in 1909. We believe this was an addition to the original block structure. O.V. Hilton purchased the building during World War II and operated it for 17 years. O.V. then sold the building and business to his son-in-law and daughter – Barbara and Billy Hiatt and it thrived during the 19060s and 70s. For 46 years residents shopped at this location fondly known at Hiatt’s 5 and 10 until the doors closed in 2007.