WHERE TO PLAY

A short drive north of Vernon lies a humble adobe building that remains a touchstone of the Texas cowboy culture. In 1881 the first Wilbarger County settlers, the Doan family, built a store and home near a low-water crossing of the Red River. They catered to cowhands herding longhorns up the Great Western Trail, America’s longest cattle trail. Doan’s Crossing proved the last chance for drovers to get mail and supplies before entering Indian Territory. Each year since 1884, the public celebrates that trail-driving past at the store with a May Day picnic, the state’s oldest continuing event. A granite monument boasts famous ranch brands. 

This mural is of a local legend, Harvey Dean.  Harvey Dean was an African American entrepreneur who sold tamales on the corner of Wilbarger Street and Main Street to raise money to put his children through college.  His story is one we are so proud to tell!  This mural was completed by Ferdine Le Blanc.

Vernon became the Hibiscus Capital of Texas in 2021.  We had to have a mural to represent this accomplishment and all the hard work Robert Brown did to make the Hibiscus breeding program at Texas A&M AgriLife Research performed by Dariusz Malinowski a prominent program for the center and Vernon. This mural was created by artist Selena Mize.

*Spooky seasonal fun!*

Roy Orbison was born in Vernon, TX!  We would love for you to snap a selfie with Orbison welcoming you to Vernon.  This mural is located on the corner of Main Street and Olive Street, and was created by artist Selena Mize.