Mount Vernon, Texas, Franklin County Seat. (original) (raw)
Originally named Lone Star, for some reason the name was changed in honor of Washington's estate. The county was named after Benjamin Cromwell Franklin, the first Judge in the Republic of Texas.History
"Mt. Vernon was established in 1849 on land donated by Stephen and Rebecca Keith, and a public square was surveyed in the 24-acre plat. When Franklin County was created in 1875, Mt. vernon was voted county seat, and a wooden building northeast of the square was used as the first courthouse...." more
(From Franklin County Courthouse Historical Marker)
Mount Vernon, Texas
Landmarks & Attractions
Photo courtesy William Deneke, September 2014
- The Franklin County Museum is at 111 South South Kaufman, next to the Chamber and in the former City Hall.
- The Majors-Parchman Farmsteadat the corner of Kaufman and Tolbert will give you an idea of a working farm circa 1883.
Phone: 903-537-4760. - The historic downtown district includes a gazebo and town square where one can shop and eat at places that has been in business since the turn of the century. The public library is located in a restored turn-of-the-century bank.
Events - Events includes the Countryfest held the second Saturday in October.
Historical Marker: Majors St.
First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon
Organized 1855, with 13 charter members: Mrs. Joel Arrington, Capt. and Mrs. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wylie Parchman, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Parchman, and squire and Mrs. C. S. Yates. The group first met south of town in Joe Wylie Parchman's home; later in a Masonic Hall; then in 1875 bought this site and built a meetinghouse. A larger frame building was erected n 1896-97. Present edifice was completed in 1930; educational building in 1953. This church body has given at least four men to the ministry.
(1975)
Historical Marker: 319 S. Kaufman Street
First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon
Led by Baptist missionary William M. Pickett, this congregation was organized on Oct. 5, 1849, one year after the Mount Vernon Post Office was established. Early worship services were held in a log building located about one-half mile east of the Franklin County Courthouse. Originally known as New Liberty, the congregation adopted the name Mount Vernon Baptist Church in 1870. The church has had a number of outstanding members and pastors, including the Rev. Joshua F. Johnson, who later served as a member of the 1861 Secession Convention in Austin.
(1984)
Historical Marker: CR SE 3070, between Hwy 37 and FM 115 (3 miles S of Mt. Vernon)
Providence Cemetery
Established in 1845, Providence Cemetery served as a burial ground for the congregation of Providence Primitive Baptist Church. The church was organized in 1842 by William J. Caudle and his wife, Sarah Daffern Caudle. In the 1840s, churches provided both spiritual and social interaction. They also provided law and order in their own congregations. Church on Sunday even saw "trials" using the congregation as judge and jury. Churches' dinner-on-the-ground, which provided a day of escape from a hard life, was an eagerly anticipated social event. Churches were scarce at the time, so preachers were circuit riders serving four or more churches.
Much of the cemetery was established from donated lands. The first recorded donors were William J. and Sarah Caudle and T.M. and Harriet Harton in 1871. There are estimated to be over 1,400 graves in this cemetery, though there is no way to know exactly. Many people used petrified wood, colorful glass bottles or other items for markers. Weather and time have washed away many of these markers. Other gravestone materials found in this cemetery consist of granite, cast iron, funeral company marker, limestone, marble and Italian ground marble resin. Concrete curbing was used in the earlier years to mark graves. Cemetery features include benches, a flagpole, handcrafted local castings, obelisks, a bronze plaque and an angel statue. Black wrought iron fencing covers the south side with an east and west gate both with red brick pillars and black cast iron floral gates created by a local welder craftsman. Many veteran gravestones may be found at Providence Cemetery.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2016
[Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share photos of Providence Cemetery, please send as email attachments to history@texasescapes.com.
Joy Theater
"Remodeled in the 1950's. Burned down in 1970's."
- William Deneke
Photo courtesy William Deneke
More Texas Theatres
Mount Vernon Recreation
- Lake Cypress Springs - 10 miles south on FM115 and FM21, offers fishing, water sports, camping and golf.
- The lake is surrounded by public parks: Dogwood Park, Walleye Park, Overlook Park, Mary King Park, and W. D. Guthrie Park. The Cypress Creek Country Club offers a 9-hole golf course and a restaurant.
- Mount Vernon Hotels › Book Hotel Here
Mount Vernon Tourist Information
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce - 903-537-4365.
109 South Kaufman Street, Mount Vernon, TX 75457.
A historic homes driving tour is available at the chamber.
People:
- Tallest Rebel by Mike Cox
The first time the Yankees soldiers saw Henry Clay Thruston charging toward them through the clouds of black powder smoke they must have rubbed their eyes in disbelief. This gray-clad Johnny Reb towered over the other fighting men like a pine tree growing next to a bush... more - Mt. Vernon, home of the tallest Civil War soldier (7'11", we have pictures!) His dogtrot style home is still standing and is currently under renovation - just received a state grant to turn it into a Visitor's Center. We have a wealth of refurbished Historic properties.
GREAT SITE!!! - T Wims 9/18/2000
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history stories and recent/vintage/historic photos, please contact us.