The Vernon Building, built in 1883, is the oldest building remaining in the Old Greensborough Historic District. Located at the northwest corner of West Washington and South Elm Street, the Italianate building has been beautifully restored. While the first owner was actually Will Armfield, when the Vernon family purchased it in 1887, they added their name to the top of the building (see below). In addition to a street-level, retail floor and two floors of apartments, there is a penthouse on the fourth floor. 

The Vernon Building has had an array of businesses like the Vanstory Clothing Company in the early 1900s and the W.T. Grant Company in the 1970s. The Liberty Oak Restaurant has occupied part of the building since 1999, leaving Irving Park Plaza where it had been since 1980. Today is ABC Wednesday and for our 2016 Alphabet Round, “V” is for Vernon- and Vanstory.