Vernon, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon, Oklahoma
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Incorporated town. Incorporated in 2005 as "The Town of Vernon"
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 Vernon, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
Vernon, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | McIntosh |
| Elevation | 696 ft (212 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2831203 |
Vernon is a small town located in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States. It officially became a town in 2005.
Contents
A Look at Vernon's History
Vernon was planned on October 4, 1910. It was officially started in June 1911. This town was special because it was created as an all-black community. Today, Vernon is one of only thirteen such towns still existing in Oklahoma. The town got its name from Bishop William Tecumseh Vernon. He was an important leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Fort Smith and Western Railway
A railroad called the Fort Smith and Western Railway used to run through Vernon. This railway started in 1899 and stopped operating in 1939. It was very important for moving coal from mines in eastern Oklahoma. The railway connected towns like Coal Creek, Bokoshe, and McCurtain.
Other towns on its route included Crowder, Okemah, Boley, and Prague. A lot of what the train carried was a special type of coal. This coal came from mines near McCurtain. However, the railway eventually closed down after the Great Depression.
Vernon's Post Office Story
Vernon got its own post office in 1912. Many different people worked as postmasters over the years. Ella Woods was the first postmaster. Mrs. Tennie Baccus Dozier Walker was the last one. She retired around 1991. After she left, temporary workers kept the post office open for a few months.
The post office eventually closed. This happened when the postal service started combining smaller town post offices. The first post office was in a small wooden building on Broadway. Later, it moved across the street. It went into a two-story stone building. This building was built by Mr. Sim (S.B.) Dozier in 1915. He used it as a dry goods store.
The Dozier Building
Mr. S.B. Dozier's son, George W. Dozier, ran the store after him. After Mr. S.B. Dozier passed away in 1925, and his wife Indiana (India) Dozier in 1934, another son, Crawford Dozier, took over. He ran it as a dry goods and shoe store. Later, it became a tavern.
Over the years, the building was home to many different businesses. It was a recreation center, the Rock Front Club, a tavern, and a pool hall. It also housed Mr. G's Grocery Store, run by George Dozier Sr. until he passed away in 2000. But it was the United States Post Office for the longest time, from 1962 to about 1994.
Mrs. Tennie Baccus Dozier Walker had Billy Dozier change the building. Around 1971, it was changed from two stories to its current one-story size. This historic building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was added to the list in 1984.
Vernon Duty Hill Cemetery
The town of Vernon is also home to the Vernon Duty Hill Cemetery. This cemetery is an important part of the town's history and community.
