Mount Vernon, Texas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Houston Street in downtown Mount Vernon | |
| Motto: "A Texas Treasure"[1] | |
 Location inFranklin County and the state ofTexas. | |
| Coordinates:33°10′34″N95°13′31″W / 33.17611°N 95.22528°W /33.17611; -95.22528 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Franklin |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.40 sq mi (11.40 km2) |
| • Land | 4.31 sq mi (11.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.093 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 509 ft (155 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,491 |
| • Density | 635.1/sq mi (245.21/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 75457 |
| Area codes | 903, 430 |
| FIPS code | 48-49860[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413019[3] |
| Website | www |
Mount Vernon is atown and thecounty seat ofFranklin County,Texas, United States. The population was 2,491 at the2020 United States census.[5]
Mount Vernon started as a settlement near the Fanning Springs (on Holbrook Street south of the present town square). Affidavits filed to establish land titles soon after theTexas Revolution document the settlement by squatters inSpanish Texas commencing in 1818.
By 1848 the United States government established a post office, and in 1849 a formal town site was laid out on land donated by Stephen and Rebecca Keith for the town of Mount Vernon. Since there were two other Mount Vernons in Texas, the post office was called "Keith" and then "Lone Star" before the name "Mount Vernon" became available in 1875. Franklin County was carved out ofTitus County in 1875, and Mount Vernon was electedcounty seat in competition with other communities.
The county's economy was based in agriculture with corn and cotton, followed by over 500,000 peach trees in production in the 1920s, watermelons in the 1930s, and the state's top record production ofcane syrup in the 1940s. The 1936 discovery of oil on C.G. Hughes' land in the north part of the county led to a more diversified economy, with oil production continuing today combined with light industry, manufacturing, and diverse agricultural endeavors. Mount Vernon, as county seat, was assured a continuing vital existence as the economic center for the county. The town boasted churches, doctors, lawyers, and many varied stores in a time before people had the ability to travel far. The town voted to incorporate in 1910 under a mayor/council form of government. In 1911 a bond issue was passed to create a public waterworks. Electric and gas utility service followed.
The downtown area reflects a small-town atmosphere. The central plaza has a picturesquegazebo and park benches. On the north side of the square is a classical revival 1912 white limestone courthouse with a chiming clock tower. The courthouse recently underwent an extensive restoration as part of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program and has been returned to its 1912 grandeur.
History abounds in and around Mount Vernon. Over 50 homes built before World War I still stand around town and are marked with signs designating the original owners and year of construction. Tour maps are available at various locations including the Franklin County Historical Association Museums, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, and Mount Vernon City Hall. There are over 20 official state historical markers in Franklin County. The Cherokee Trace runs along the eastern edge of the county south towardNacogdoches. The Choctaw Trail runs through the county towardDallas. TheBankhead Highway remains as Mount Vernon's Main Street.[6]
Mount Vernon is located at the center of Franklin County.U.S. Route 67 passes through the northern side of town as Main Street, leading east 16 miles (26 km) toMount Pleasant and west 23 miles (37 km) toSulphur Springs.Texas State Highway 37 passes through the western side of town, leading north 20 miles (32 km) toBogata and south 17 miles (27 km) toWinnsboro.Interstate 30 passes through the southern end of town, with access from Exit 146 (Highway 37) and Exit 147. I-30 leads east 78 miles (126 km) toTexarkana and west 101 miles (163 km) toDallas.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Mount Vernon has a total area of 3.69 square miles (9.55 km2), of which 3.67 square miles (9.51 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.38%, is water.[7]
| Climate data for Mount Vernon, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 82 (28) | 90 (32) | 90 (32) | 97 (36) | 97 (36) | 105 (41) | 109 (43) | 112 (44) | 108 (42) | 96 (36) | 89 (32) | 84 (29) | 112 (44) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 55.6 (13.1) | 60.2 (15.7) | 68.1 (20.1) | 75.5 (24.2) | 82.2 (27.9) | 90.0 (32.2) | 94.3 (34.6) | 94.6 (34.8) | 88.2 (31.2) | 77.3 (25.2) | 65.8 (18.8) | 57.6 (14.2) | 75.8 (24.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 44.9 (7.2) | 49.0 (9.4) | 56.3 (13.5) | 63.6 (17.6) | 71.8 (22.1) | 79.7 (26.5) | 83.5 (28.6) | 83.3 (28.5) | 76.4 (24.7) | 65.6 (18.7) | 54.8 (12.7) | 46.8 (8.2) | 64.6 (18.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 34.2 (1.2) | 37.7 (3.2) | 44.5 (6.9) | 51.8 (11.0) | 61.4 (16.3) | 69.4 (20.8) | 72.8 (22.7) | 71.9 (22.2) | 64.7 (18.2) | 53.8 (12.1) | 43.8 (6.6) | 36.1 (2.3) | 53.5 (11.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 2 (−17) | 1 (−17) | 11 (−12) | 25 (−4) | 39 (4) | 50 (10) | 55 (13) | 49 (9) | 38 (3) | 23 (−5) | 13 (−11) | −5 (−21) | −5 (−21) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.41 (87) | 3.73 (95) | 4.52 (115) | 4.13 (105) | 5.07 (129) | 4.17 (106) | 3.18 (81) | 3.10 (79) | 3.58 (91) | 4.74 (120) | 3.86 (98) | 4.70 (119) | 48.19 (1,224) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.9 (2.3) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.6 (4.1) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 90.2 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| Source:NOAA[8][9] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 223 | — | |
| 1880 | 311 | 39.5% | |
| 1890 | 589 | 89.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,212 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,222 | 0.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,443 | 18.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,433 | −0.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,338 | −6.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,806 | 35.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,025 | 12.1% | |
| 1990 | 2,219 | 9.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,286 | 3.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,662 | 16.4% | |
| 2020 | 2,491 | −6.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,590 | 63.83% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 305 | 12.24% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 11 | 0.44% |
| Asian (NH) | 15 | 0.6% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 23 | 0.92% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 103 | 4.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 444 | 17.82% |
| Total | 2,491 |
According to the2000 U.S. census, there were 2,286 people, 903 households, and 582 families residing in the town.[4] The population density was 618.7 inhabitants per square mile (238.9/km2). There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 282.8 per square mile (109.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 77.21%White, 13.52%African American, 0.61%Native American, 0.31%Asian, 7.17% fromother races, and 1.18% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 10.80% of the population. In 2020, its population was 2,491;[5] at the2020 U.S. census, its racial and ethnic makeup was predominantlynon-Hispanic white.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $28,824, and the median income for a family was $36,150. Males had a median income of $30,132 versus $18,707 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $16,186. About 14.9% of families and 17.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over. The 2020American Community Survey determined the median household income was $56,016.[14]
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Housed in the 1940WPA-financed fire station, changing exhibits from the permanent collection include nature and history displays of butterflies, bird eggs, violins, toys, seashells, antique tools, wood carvings, and Native American artifacts. The dental chair and equipment that were once used by Dr. Con Smith in Mount Vernon is on display. Exhibits upstairs include a collection of bird eggs and Native American artifacts from Franklin County and other parts of Texas and a collection of butterflies. The museum is one of only 13 museums holding eggs of the extinctCarolina parakeet,heath hen, andpassenger pigeon. An exhibit of sports memorabilia related to the life and career of home-town boy and pro-football legendDon Meredith is also housed here.
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The restored Mount Vernon 1894 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot is a real gem that has been carefully restored pursuant to National Register standards with original colors and decor. Separate waiting rooms, designed to serve under the segregation laws at that time, today house exhibits. The central office is furnished with antiques suitable to an office at the turn of the 20th century including working telegraphy and railroading exhibits. The waiting room formerly restricted to White patrons houses a model train exhibit. The large freight room houses an 1899 Studebaker covered wagon in excellent condition and offers students a chance to reflect on the real change in transportation in America after the advent of the automobile. There is also a small 1880 log cabin that was moved onto the property, a syrup press and mill, period mule-drawn farm machinery, and a blacksmith shop.
The Bankhead Highway, which opened in 1919 and ran from Washington D.C. to San Diego, was the nation's first all-weather transcontinental highway. It passes through Franklin County and serves as Mount Vernon's Main Street and follows an early Indian trading route known as the Choctaw Trail. By 1930 it was renumbered as U. S. No. 1 and was called "The Broadway of America." The Bankhead Highway Route was changed in 1937 and follows present U. S. Hwy 67. The Visitor Center includes the Lowry Pavilion, which is available to rent for special outdoor occasions, and the Dupree Park Nature Preserve and Nature Trail, a mile and a half walk through the property with special marked stations for bird sightings. Though the property gates are locked at off hours, a pedestrian gate allows admittance for individual use from dawn until dusk. A printed trail guide is available in the Visitor Center.
Using a replica of the Alamo Mission as the backdrop, the mission mixes history and fun. Learn about Texas history and bring the family out for family events such as Chili Cook-off & Bluegrass Festival, Turtle Derby, Halloween Hayrides with pumpkin fun, and Redneck Rendezvous.
Located on Holbrook Street just south of the intersection with Rutherford Street, the first facility was built in 1911.
Mr. & Mrs. N. E. Dupree donated approximately 4.2 acres of land to the City of Mount Vernon in July 1958 for the love and respect they had for the young people of the town and surrounding communities for the creation of a park. The park consists of tennis courts, basketball courts, two playground areas, baseball field, a covered pavilion for family and social gatherings, and a walking trail. The park is located just south of the town square on Kaufman Street.[15]
Franklin County is the home of spring-fedLake Cypress Springs and is a bass fisherman's paradise. It is surrounded by 869 acres of public parks owned and maintained by the Franklin County Water District. Camper sites, shelters, and meeting pavilions are located in various parks at the lake, as well as a marina with water playground equipment. Lake Cypress Springs was impounded in 1970 with 3,400 acres of top fishing waters. Walleye were stocked in the early days of the lake with some success. Black Bass and catfish are the prime targets of visiting anglers today. The waters of Lake Bob Sandlin back up to the dam on Cypress Creek.[16]
The town is served by theMount Vernon Independent School District and is home to theMount Vernon High School Tigers.
On May 24, 2019, the Mount Vernon school board announced formerBaylor University coachArt Briles had been given a two-year contract as the high school's varsity football coach.[17][18] This decision has attracted widespread attention due to Briles having been terminated in 2016 from his position as head coach of Baylor's football team as part of theBaylor University sexual assault scandal.[19][20][21][22]
Municipalities and communities ofFranklin County, Texas,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Town | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
