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History in
a Pecan Shell
The name Vernon
was their second choice after the Post Office refused the requested
Eagle Flat. (For more on naming of Vernon, see Forum
below.) The county's name, however has a more hair-raising story attached
to it:
Josiah Wilbarger
was an early settler who was scalped by Comanches down around Austin,
where a creek
under Highway 71 still bears his name.
Josiah had the presence of mind to cover the wound with a sock (the
only clothing the Comanches left him) before slipping into unconsciousness.
He crawled for two days and was mistaken for a Comanche and nearly
killed by rescuers. He lived for many years after the incident, although
his skull decayed and his brain was eventually exposed, resulting
in coma and eventual death.Vernon lent its name to a struggling opera
singer who combined it with Dalhart and became Vernon Dalhart.
Armed with this impressive name, he sold hundreds of thousands of
early "western" records. |
Fargo
and Doan's Crossing
Vernon's 19th Century history is closely bound to the
Red River crossing some 15 miles north. Corwin Doan
operated a store at this point and supplied cowboys with all they
needed to survive the trip. This is where an estimated six million
Longhorn cattle crossed on their way to the railheads in Dodge
City, Kansas.
The fencing of the west and the invention of barbed
wire put an end to the cattle drives that brought Texas back from
the economic collapse brought upon by the Civil War.
Ironically Vernon had often played host to The International Barbed
Wire and Antique Show. |
Vernon Landmarks
/ Attractions
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Vernon Chronicles
Carnegie
Library (sort of)
Just past Main St on the Northside of Wilbarger is the City-County
Library. Although the 1915 structure was razed in the late 1970s,
they continue to use the name of the original library's benefactor.
The cost of the original building according to Carnegie Libraries
Across America was $12,500. It might've been 12,501.
Sullivan
Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" column)
Ex-Ranger W.S.J. Sullivan, and the hanging of condemned preacher
Morrison, the last man ever legally hanged in Wilbarger County.
Entertaining
the Rotary Club in Mount Vernon
by Robert Cowser
Roy
Orbison was born in April
23, 1936 in Vernon
Go
Fishing Day by Mike Cox
Lake Kemp
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Threshing Wheat
near Vernon
Old photo courtesy
Dan
Whatley |
Population
12,001 (1990)
We checked four references for Vernon's population and they all say
12,001. We asked eight different Vernonians if they happened
to know whom the last person counted was, and seven of the eight said
it was they.
The eighth person told us that the citizens of Vernon were called
Vernonites, and that the twelve thousand and first inhabitant
was probably a rare example of Census Bureau humor. |
Vernon, Texas
Forum - Naming of Vernon
Subject:
Name of Vernon, Texas
There is no historical proof of the Mt. Vernon theory as to the
reason for Vernon's name. I agree completely with Joyce Ashley.
And I was born and raised in Vernon. - Lee Probst, May 27, 2008
No Vernonites
in Vernon
Dear TE, Just a couple of comments on your Vernon information. There
are several incorrect statements. For instance, Carnegie City-County
Library still exists. It simply moved to a new and more modern location
at 2810 Wilbarger Street before the old building on Cumberland Street
was torn down.
Vernon was not necessarily named for Mount Vernon, although
that is certainly one theory. However, according to the Wilbarger
County history book (page 578), "After the name Eagle Flat was not
accepted by the postal authorities due to other offices with "Eagle"
in the name, the name Vernon was chosen but history has not recorded
a substantiated reason for the selection." The book goes on to say
that another (and more colorful) version of the origin of the name
was that it was named after Vernon Brown, a whisky drummer, the
first to call on the new townsite, promised free samples of his
wares if the then-new town was named after him. Actually, no one
knows for sure how the town got its name.
Also, I have lived in Vernon for 57 years now and have NEVER heard
anyone called a "Vernonite."... - Joyce Ashley, Vernon, Texas, January
7, 2007
Subject:
Kramer's studio
I found numerous old, old photos left by my Grandmother, they were
developed at Kramer Studio in Vernon, Texas. Can you tell me if,
by some miracle, it's still in business or what may have happened
to it? Thanks, Margie Foster, OKC, January 05, 2006
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Vernon
Tourist Information
Vernon Chamber of Commerce
On the NE side of the square on Main Street (Hwy 283).
1-800-687-3137 or 940-552-2564.
Website: www.vernontx.com
Book
Hotel Here › Vernon
Hotels |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and contemporary or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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