Vernon, Oklahoma
| Vernon, Oklahoma | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
  Vernon Location within the state of Oklahoma | |
| Coordinates: 35°12′56″N 95°55′33″W / 35.21556°N 95.92583°WCoordinates: 35°12′56″N 95°55′33″W / 35.21556°N 95.92583°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | McIntosh |
| Elevation | 696 ft (212 m) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1099244 |
Vernon is an unincorporated community in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States. Its elevation is 696 feet (212 m).[1]
History
Vernon was established in 1911 as an all-black community, and is one of thirteen such that still exists. It was named for Bishop W. T. Vernon of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.[2]
The Fort Smith and Western Railway, which opened in 1899 and closed in 1939, operated through the town. The FS&W served major coal mining operations in eastern Oklahoma at Coal Creek, Bokoshe and McCurtain. Other towns served included Crowder, Okemah, Boley, Prague, Vernon, Indianola and Meridian. A major portion of the road's freight traffic was metallurgical-grade coal from San Bois Coal Company mines near McCurtain. However, the railroad was ultimately abandoned after the Great Depression.
A post office was established in 1920, in what was grocery and dry goods store; the building, known as The Rock Front, later became a tavern and pool hall and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[3]
The community is also home to a cemetery.[4][5]
See also
- Boley, Brooksville, Clearview, Grayson, Langston, Lima, Redbird, Rentiesville, Summit, Taft, Tatums, and Tullahassee, other "All-Black" settlements that were part of the Land Run of 1889.[6]
References
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vernon, Oklahoma
- ↑ O'Dell, Larry. "Vernon". Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
- ↑ "The Rock Front". National Register Properties in Oklahoma. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vernon Cemetery
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vernon Post Office
- ↑ O'Dell, Larry. "All-Black Towns". Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
External links
- Vernon’s Rock Front Post Office – Historical Information from okstate.edu
- All-Black Towns in Oklahoma from okstate.edu
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