Vernon, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon, Texas
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Vernon City Hall
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| Motto(s):
"Steer Our Way!"
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Location of Vernon, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Wilbarger |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–city commission |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.90 sq mi (20.47 km2) |
| • Land | 7.89 sq mi (20.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,240 ft (380 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,078 |
| • Density | 1,275.7/sq mi (492.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
76384–76385
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| Area code(s) | 940 |
| FIPS code | 48-75308 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412151 |
Vernon is a city in Texas, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Wilbarger County, Texas. In 2020, about 10,078 people lived there.
Contents
History of Vernon
The area where Vernon is now was first called Eagle Springs by the Native American community around 1858. After the American Civil War, more people moved to the area.
In 1880, settlers wanted to open a post office and call their town Eagle Flat. However, the U.S. Post Office said there were too many towns in Texas already named "Eagle something." So, the town chose the name Vernon. This name came from George Washington's famous home, Mount Vernon.
Vernon's Location and Weather
Vernon is located in Texas and covers about 8.1 square miles (21.0 square kilometers) of land. Only a tiny part of this area is covered by water.
Vernon's Climate
The weather in Vernon has hot and humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. Vernon has a humid subtropical climate, which means it gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.
People Living in Vernon
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 2,857 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,993 | −30.2% | |
| 1910 | 3,195 | 60.3% | |
| 1920 | 5,142 | 60.9% | |
| 1930 | 9,137 | 77.7% | |
| 1940 | 9,277 | 1.5% | |
| 1950 | 12,651 | 36.4% | |
| 1960 | 12,141 | −4.0% | |
| 1970 | 11,454 | −5.7% | |
| 1980 | 12,695 | 10.8% | |
| 1990 | 12,001 | −5.5% | |
| 2000 | 11,660 | −2.8% | |
| 2010 | 11,002 | −5.6% | |
| 2020 | 10,078 | −8.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of 2020, 10,078 people lived in Vernon. There were 4,160 households and 2,426 families in the city.
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,023 | 49.84% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,243 | 32.18% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 814 | 8.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 538 | 5.34% |
| Mixed/multiracial (NH) | 347 | 3.44% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 91 | 0.9% |
| Some other group (NH) | 22 | 0.22% |
| Total | 10,078 |
Vernon's Economy and Businesses
Vernon has several important businesses and industries. One major company is a Tyson Foods plant, which processes bacon. There is also a Rhodia, Inc. plant that processes guar, a plant used in many products.
The North Texas State Hospital is located here, run by the Texas Health and Human Services System. It includes a special program for young people aged 13-17. The Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center also operates in Vernon. This center is part of the Texas A&M University System and focuses on agricultural research.
Near Vernon is the Waggoner Ranch. This ranch is famous for being the largest ranch in Texas under one fence. It is still active today, involved in petroleum (oil), farming, raising horses, and cattle. The Waggoner Ranch is known for breeding excellent ranch horses, including those from the famous quarter horse named Poco Bueno.
Fun Events and Culture
Santa Rosa Roundup Rodeo
Vernon hosts several events each year. One popular event is the Santa Rosa Roundup rodeo. This rodeo lasts for four days in May and is put on by the local Santa Rosa Palomino Club.
Doan's May Picnic
Since 1884, the Doan's May Picnic has been held every year on the first Saturday of May. It takes place at the ghost town of Doans, about 15 miles north of Vernon. At the picnic, you can enjoy a barbecue lunch and buy T-shirts. A king and queen are also crowned at this yearly event.
One of the T-shirt designs from 2017 showed Texas Longhorns and a cowboy crossing the Red River at Doan's Crossing. This crossing was a historic spot where the postmaster, Corwin F. Doan, also ran a store for cowboys. A sculpture by Harold Dow Bugbee, from 1931, marks this spot. Riders often cross the river from Oklahoma and arrive at the picnic around noon. You can also tour the 1881 adobe house, which is the oldest house in Wilbarger County.
Education in Vernon
Public Schools
The Vernon Independent School District serves students from prekindergarten up to grade 12. The district has three elementary schools for younger students, a middle school for grades 6–8, and Vernon High School for grades 9–12. They also have special programs for alternative education and for youth at the North Texas State Hospital.
Vernon High School's football team, the Vernon Lions, has a strong history. They won the 3A state championship in 1990 and were ranked number one all year. The Lady Lions basketball team also won the 3A girls state title in the 1984–1985 season.
The Vernon High School tennis team is also very successful. They have gone to the Texas Tennis Coaches Association State Team Tennis Tournament for 23 years in a row. They have won six state team tennis titles and have placed in the top three for 22 of those 23 years.
Vernon College
Vernon College is a two-year community college located in Vernon. It also has a campus in Wichita Falls. Students can study subjects like cosmetology, nursing, and various vocational-technical programs.
In sports, Vernon College has women's softball, women's volleyball, men's baseball, and rodeo teams. Their rodeo team is often ranked highly in junior college competitions.
Transportation in Vernon
Vernon is about 50 miles northwest of Wichita Falls. It is also about 160 to 180 miles from larger cities like Amarillo, Abilene, Oklahoma City, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Four U.S. routes serve the city: 70, 183, 283, and 287.
The Wilbarger County Airport is five miles north of Vernon. For scheduled flights, the closest airport is Wichita Falls Municipal Airport, which is about 50 miles east. This airport mostly offers flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
For major international flights, the nearest airports are Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, and Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Amarillo. A BNSF rail freight line also runs through the area, bypassing downtown Vernon.
Famous People from Vernon
Many notable people have connections to Vernon, including:
- Kay Adams (born 1941), a country singer.
- Roy Orbison (1936–1988), known as "The Big O," a famous singer-songwriter and guitarist who won Grammy Awards.
- Jack Teagarden (1905–1964), an important jazz trombonist and vocalist.
- Eck Robertson (1887–1975), a fiddle player who was one of the first country musicians to be commercially recorded in 1922.
- Skandor Akbar, a former professional wrestler.
- Clyde Gates (born 1986), a former NFL player for the Miami Dolphins.
- Daryl Richardson (born 1990), a former NFL running back.
- Bernard Scott (born 1984), a former NFL running back.
- Ken Starr, a lawyer who was a lead prosecutor in the Clinton impeachment.
The 1979 Tornado
On April 10, 1979, Vernon and the surrounding Wilbarger County were hit by a powerful F4 tornado. This tornado was part of a larger storm system in the Red River Valley. A large part of Vernon was damaged or destroyed. Sadly, 11 people lost their lives as the tornado moved through different counties before it ended. On the same day, other tornadoes also caused a lot of damage in nearby cities like Wichita Falls and Lawton.
See also
In Spanish: Vernon (Texas) para niños
