Around the County, Around the World
WHAT YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE:
Contacts and Links for the FCHA, Other Interesting Web Sites, Local Businesses, Churches, Antique Shops, Places to Eat, Places to Stay, and Other Attractions
TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FCHA
To visit, drop by one of the following during the stated hours of operation:
The Majors-Parchman House, a Restored 1883 Victorian Cottage with Original Out Buildings and Extensive Art Works, at 701 S. Kaufman in Mount Vernon, serves as the FCHA Headquarters, and is open Tuesday and Thursday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Reach the office there at 903-537-4760.
The Fire Station Museum, at 201 S. Kaufman in Mount Vernon, and The Old Depot Museum, just across the street at 200 S. Kaufman, are museums of area history with additional natural history exhibits. Both museums are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. They are also available at other times by appointment; just call the Fire Station at 903-537-7012 or the FCHA office at the Majors-Parchman House at 903-537-4760 during operating hours for reservations. The facilities are available with free admission, although donations are always appreciated. Ask for a free map of historic homes and a driving-tour annotated guide for the town.
For matters related to this web site, contact John Hicks:
webmaster@fcha-online.org
To ask about FCHA volunteer opportunities, contact Jean Ann Marshall:
volunteer@fcha-online.org
You may reach us by mail at FCHA, P. O. Box 289, Mount Vernon, Texas 75457.
FOR GENEALOGICAL INQUIRIES
To search out cemetery-burial information and other genealogical information, contact the Franklin County Genealogical Society:
genealogy@fcha-online.org
Also, for cemetery information or local history, contact B.F. Hicks:
information@fcha-online.org
STATE & LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS INTEREST TO HISTORY BUFFS AND TOURISTS
Alamo Mission Museum
www.thealamomission.com
Audubon Texas
Take a look at this new and impressive display of information on our state and its natural wonders.
www.audubontexas.org
Cotton Belt Route Historical Society (Visit this site to get information on the annual Symposium, a free program celebrating our railroad heritage and the legacy of the St. Louis Southwestern Railway, held at Texas A&M University Commerce.)
www.cottonbeltroute.com
East Texas Historical Association
The association’s web site and their scholarly journal help to preserve the rich history of East Texas. Persons who desire to join can do so through a link on the website or by contacting the Association at
P. O. Box 6223 SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962-6223.
Annual membership dues start at $15 for students and $35 for other individuals.
www.easttexashistorical.org
First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon
www.fbcmv.com
First United Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon
www.fumcmv.org
Franklin County Genealogical Association
www.mt-vernon.com/~skelly
Franklin County Library
http://franklintx.booksys.net/opac/franklintx/index.html
Franklin County Water District
www.fcwd.com
Geocaching across America, Including Dupree Park
www.geocaching.com/
Historic Map Works
You can see a small version and purchase a large version of an 1897 Franklin County map at these links:
www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/18814/
www.historicmapworks.com/Sections/Maps/viewPlateUS-18814.htm
Mount Vernon Music and the Duo Renard: Mark & Ute Miller
www.mountvernonmusic.org
Mount Vernon Community Calendar
http://mt-vernon.com/calendars.html
Mount Vernon Independent School District History Page
http://www.mtvernonisd.com/ABOUTUS/History/tabid/391/Default.aspx
Native Prairies Association of Texas
www.texasprairie.org
Northeast Texas Film Commission
www.netexasmovies.com
Portal to Texas History
This site offers students and lifelong learners a digital gateway to the rich collections held in Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, and private collections, free for public use. It features digital reproductions of photographs, maps, letters, documents, books, artifacts, and more. There are over ninety-five contributing partners and over 350,000 digital images online. The site is hosted by the University of North Texas. For your interest, go to:
www.texashistory.unt.edu
Red River County Photos
Enjoy a download found at this link. It’s a very neat slide show of about two dozen great photographs of historical markers and buildings with historical significance in Red River County and Clarksville.
www.box.net/shared/kdvh0p7pbq
Recycling for a Beautiful Community
www.epa.gov/recyclecity
Scenic Driving Routes Around Mount Vernon
www.mt-vernon.com/~chamber/trail.htm
Texas A&M University Press
www.tamu.edu/upress
Texas Archeological Society
www.txarch.org
Texas Civilian Conservation Corps Parks
This is a new grant-funded interactive website created by the Historic Sites and Structures Program. This website contains historical information for every CCC state park in Texas operated by TPWD. You can view CCC photos, vintage postcards, photographs of CCC artifacts, architectural drawings, and oral history videos. Clicking on the Interactive Program will bring up four short documentary video chapters that contain 1930s film footage and photos of the CCC in Texas, and interviews about the CCC, showing the start of the CCC, the daily life of the Corps, the architectural design and construction of CCC structures, and the urgency of caring for these structures for future generations.
www.texascccparks.com
www.texascccparks.org
Texas Escapes
This is an interesting online magazine free to access. You can find a “Mount Vernon” story by Robert Cowser at the site with the longer URL below:
www.texasescapes.com
www.texasescapes.com/They-Shoe-Horses-Dont-They/Entertaining-the-Rotary-Club-in-Mount-Vernon.htm
Texas Forest Trail Region (Follow links there for a slideshow from our “This Place Matters” Trolley Tour.)
www.txforesttrailregion.org
Texas Historical Commission
www.thc.state.tx.us
Texas Historical Commission
Franklin County Judge Jerry Hubbell points out this link to great information on the Franklin County Preservation Action Plan and a wonderful collection of Franklin County historical information, with many pictures:
www.thc.state.tx.us/visioninpres/vppdf/Franklin%20County%20Plan.pdf
Texas Historical Foundation
www.texashistoricalfoundation.org
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
TPWd received a nomination for a Lone Star Emmy Award for its video on our egg collection. For more on the video visit the first of the following two sites and then scroll down to “Eggsotic Collection”; for the TPWD news release about the eggs, written by Sara Bibbs and entitled “Rare Avian Treasures on Display in Small-Town Museum,” visit the second site:
www.lonestaremmy.org/_emmy_awards/2008_nominees.php
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20070402c
Texas State Cemetery
www.cemetery.state.tx.us
Texas State Historical Association
www.tsha.utexas.edu
Texas Treasures Awards
For an online video that shows Mount Vernon receiving one of the Texas Treasures Award, presented by First Lady Anita Perry at the Texas Travel Industry Association’s Unity Dinner in Austin click on the first of these two links; for the whole presentation click on the second:
www.thc.state.tx.us/awards/awdMountvernon.shtml
www.thc.state.tx.us/awards/awdFrstLdyTxTrs.shtml
Titus County Historical Association Sites
www.titushistory.com and www.tituscemeteries.com
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHURCHES
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
•ABUNDANT GRACE
•423 Hwy. 37 South, Mount Vernon
•Charles Cockroft, Pastor
•903-537-4353
•Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
•Children's Church 11:00 a.m.
•Morning Worship 8:30 a.m. & 10:45
•Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.
BAPTIST
•CALVARY BAPTIST TEMPLE
•Bell Street, Mount Vernon
•Pete Hollingsworth, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
•Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
•Bible Study Youth Fellowship 5:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.
•CENTER GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
•Rt. 2, Mount Vernon
•Stephen Smith, Pastor
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Church 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening 7:00 p.m.
•DENTON BAPTIST CHURCH
•Spur 423, Mount Vernon
•Rev. Dr. W.G. Lacy, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Morning Worship I1:00 a.m.
•Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
•Lord's Supper Each First Sunday
•FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
•Kaufman St., Mount Vernon
•Pepper Puryear, Pastor
•903-537-2322
•Bible Fellowship 9:15 a.m.
•Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.
•Evening Worship 6:15 p.m.
•Wednesday Evening Worship 6:15 p.m.
•www.fbcmv.com
•GLADE SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH
•Hwy 21, 5 miles S. of Mount Vernon
•Dr. Stan Foy, Pastor
•903-588-2506
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Morning Service 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening Service 6:00 p.m.
•GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH 512 Yates. Mount Vernon
•Daniel Ledford, Pastor Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Morning Service 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.
•HILLTOP BAPTIST CHURCH
•822 Leftwich Street, Mount Vernon
•903-537-7037
•Van B. Patton, Sr., Pastor; Antonio Telles, Spanisb Pastor
•Sunday School, English & Spanish 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Service, English & Spanish 11:00 a.m.; Spanish 12:00 noon
•Sunday Evening, English 6:30 p.m.; Spanish 7:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Service, English 6:30 p.m.; Spanish 7:30 p.m.
•LAKE CYPRESS SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH
•Hwy 115 N. of Kings Country, Scroggins
•David Foote, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Worship Service 10:55 a.m.
•Evening Service 6:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 p.m.
•MACON BAPTIST CHURCH
•FM 21 W. of FM 3007
•903-588-2424
•Don Smith, Pastor
•Sunday Brunch 9:30 a.m.
•Sunday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening Worship 6:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Prayer 6:30 p.m.
•MEADOW PARK BAPTlST CHURCH
•707 Hwy 37 S., Mount Vernon
•903-537-4867
•Troy Henegar, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Sunday Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.
•Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Worship 7:00 p.m.
•MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
•Hagansport
•Jimmy Rogers, Pastor
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Service 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Night Church 7:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
•NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH
•FM 1448, Scroggins
•Larry Glosup, Pastor
•903-725-7953
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Morning Service 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.
•PURLEY BAPTIST CHURCH
•FM 900, W. of Hwy 37
•Bryan Adair, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
•Worship Service 10:50 a.m.
•Evening Worship 6 p.m.
•Wednesday Meal 6:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Worship 7 p.m.
ROMAN CATHOLIC
•SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
•Hwy 37 S. & Rutherford Dr., Mount Vernon
•Father Susai J. Avula
•Church 903-537-2174, Rectory 903-537-7489
•Saturday Evening Mass (English) 6 p.m.
•Sunday Mass (English) 9:30 a.m.
•Sunday Mass (Espanol) 12:30 p.m.
CHURCH OF CHRIST
•CHURCH OF CHRIST
•708 W. Main, Mount Vernon
•Richard Rutledge, Minister
•Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
•Morning Worship 1O:30 a.m.
•Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.
•HAGANSPORT CHURCH OF CHRIST
•Hwy 37 N., Hagansport
•John T. Mullins, Minister
•Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
•Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.
•Evening Worship 5:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
FULL GOSPEL / EVANGELICAL
•BIBLE MISSIONARY CHURCH, 207 Keith St., Mount Vernon
•Brother Roy Baker
•903-537-2153
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
•Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m.
•CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH
•I-30, S. Service Road, Mount Vernon
•Morris Nelms, Pastor
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Worship Service 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.
•Wednesday Night 7:00 p.m.
•CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY
•Hwy 37 N., Hagansport
•Freddy Henry, Pastor
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
•Sunday Night Bible Study & Singing 6:00 p.m.
•Evening Worship 6:30 p.m.
•Wednesday Night 7:30 p.m.
•CORNERSTONE CHURCH
•I-30 & Hwy 115, Mount Vernon
•Jim Crittenden, Pastor
•903-537-2011
•Sunday Services & Children's Church 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
•Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
•Bible Study Weekdays 8:00 a.m.
•http://www.mtvc.org
•IGLESIA CENTRO CRISTIANO (Spanish Language)
•621 Holbrook St., Mount Vernon
•Pedro Carbajal, Pastor
•903-537-3746
•Sunday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m.
•Thursday Worship 7 p.m.
•LAKE CHAPEL CHURCH
•Hwy 37 N., 7 mi. N. of Mount Vernon
•Gerald Hood, Pastor
•903-632-4452
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Sunday Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.
•Sunday Evening Service 6 p.m.
•Wednesday Service 7:30 p.m.
•NEW LIFE U.P.C.
•I-30 S. Service Rd., Mount Vernon
•903-588-2031
•W.. Anderson, Jr., Pastor
•Sunday Service 2:00 p.m.
•Wednesday Service 7:30 p.m.
LUTHERAN
•GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (WELS)
•Vilas Glaeske, Pastor
•6788 Highway 115, , Cypress Springs Village, on Lake Cypress Springs
•903-860-3749
•Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
•Adult Bible Study 9:00 a.m.
•Worship Service 10:00 a.m.
•www.gracelutherantxwels.org
METHODIST
•FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
•Hwy 37 S. & Meadow Park, Mount Vernon
•903-537-3616
•Pete Adrian, Pastor
•Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
•Morning Worship 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
•Youth Fellowship 5:30 p.m.
•www.fumcmv.org
•MT. ZION CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
•129 Church St., Mount Vernon
•Rev. Gailyn McCurdy
•903-537-3267
•Worship Second & Fourth Sunday 11:00 a.m.
•Bible Study First & Third Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
•BOOKMAN TEMPLE
•Grady St., Mount Vernon
•Pastor Frank Henderson
•Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
•Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
•Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m
•Thursday Open Arms 7:00 p.m.
•LIFE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
•200 W. Main
•Craig Toney, Pastor
•Sunday Morning Services 10:30 a.m.
•PRAIRIE STATION COWBOY CHURCH
•I-30, S. Service Rd., 1/8 mi. west of Hwy 37
•Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
•Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m.
Send a message to webmaster@fcha-online.org if you see a need for revision or if you notice an omission.
DOWNTOWN & AREA SHOPPER'S GUIDE
Mount Vernon's Downtown Business Association is an organization dedicated to promoting the historic, cultural and retail significance of this beautiful small East Texas town and county seat. While its best known favorite son, Don Meredith, put Mount Vernon on the map with his down-to-earth charm, visitors will discover that same warmth of ambiance in Mount Vernon today, a welcome reminder of everyone's Hometown USA. For more information write P. O. Box 382, Mount Vernon, TX 75457.
FARMER'S MARKET
The Farmer’s Market is open on the Downtown Square every Saturday March through November 7:30 A.M. to sellout.
ANTIQUES AND GIFTS
•M. L. Edwards & Co. Emporium
•903-537-2244
•West Side of the Square
•Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:00
•Friends
•Home Décor and Gifts
•Ken & Cynthia Harrison, Owners
•903-537-4484
•104 N. Houston St.
•East Side of the Square
•Parson's Parade
•903-537-4084
•South Side of the Square
•The Country Trunk
•903-537-2046
•East Side of the Square
APPAREL
•Saucy Ladies
•903-537-4983
•South Side of the Square
•Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:00
ART
•The Frame-Up and Fine Art Gallery, featuring custom framing & the Galleria
•Americana
•903-537-4034
•204 W. Main Street
•Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:00
DINING
•Burger King
•I-30 S. Access Rd.
•903-588-2471
•Dairy Bar
•Hwy 37S
•903-588-2295
•Love's Country Store, Chicken Express & Subway
•I-30 N. Access Rd.
•903-537-7696
•McCurdy's Catfish
•Hwy 37S
•903-860-3399
•Mi Casita
•I-30 S. Access Rd.
•903-537-4624
•Milano's Pizza
•Lunch & Dinner Daily
•104 S. Kaufman, just South of the Square
•903-537-3929
•Mt. Vernon Cafe
•I-30 & Hwy 37S
•903-588-2773
•Our Place
•Lunch Daily
•104 E. Main St.
•South Side of the Square
•903-270-6216
•Sonic Drive-In
•Hwy 37S
•903-537-4596
•The Sweet Shoppe
•I-30 N. Access Rd.
•903-537-4454
•Texas BBQ Corral
•I-30 S. Access Rd.
•903-537-4848
•Vinyard's
•Hwy 115 at Lake Cypress Springs
•903-860-3102
•Walleye Deli
•732 CR 4220
•903-860-2692
FLORAL GIFTS
•The Party Barn
•903-537-4575
•Pryor Arrangements Flowers, Floral Arrangements, Gifts
•114 E. Main Street
HOME DECORATING
•Renee's Floors & Decor
•903-537-7050
•111 E. Dallas Street
OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES
•B. F. Hicks, Attorney-At-Law
•903-537-2264
•Lanny Ramsay, Attorney-At-Law
•903-537-4949
•Cecil L. Solomon, Attorney-At-Law
•903-537-3778
•Tom Ramsay Real Estate
•903-537-4711
•First National Bank of Mount Vernon
•903-537-2201
•Edward Jones Investment
•903-537-3345
•Tri-County Feed and Supply
•903-537-4516
•Mount Vernon Fitness Center
•903-537-2247
•Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
•www.mt-vernon.com
•903-537-2228
•City of Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon Community Network
•www.mvcntx.org or www.visitmtvernontx.com
•903-537-2252
•Mount Vernon Economic Development
•903-537-4495
If you would like your business listed in this area, please send a message to webmaster@fcha-online.org. If you see a need for revision, please do the same.
WHERE TO STAY IN OR NEAR MOUNT VERNON
Mt. Vernon Motel
I-30 N. Service Rd.
903-537-2310
American Inn Motel
New facility, 21 Rooms with Queen or King beds, Cable TV, HBO. Rates from $35.95 + tax. Location and mailing address: 415 NE Access Rd. - North of I-30 at Exit 147.
903-537-3498
Best Western Trail Dust Inn
Location and mailing address: I-30 S. Service Road, P.O. Box 789, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
903-885-7515
Cypress Springs Marina, & Resort
Cypress Springs Lake, lakefront cabins, kitchenettes, recreational vehicle and tent rentals, boat stalls. Location and mailing address: 3400 Hwy. 115, Scroggins, TX 75480.
903-860-2891
Deer Lake Cabins
Situated in a secluded and tranquil area of the Texas Piney Woods next to Lake Cypress Springs. Located on Deer Lake and Dream Lake. 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes w/kitchens & Decks and Lake Views. Locatioin and mailing address: 838 Kings Country BLvd., Scroggins, TX 75480.
903-860-3898; fax 903-860-3045; www.deerlakecabins.com
Mount Vernon Super 8 Motel
Built in 1996; AAA approved, 44 super deluxe rooms, free continental breakfast, local calls & cribs. Electronic room keys, 24-hour desk, children 14 & under stay free. King rooms with recliners & desk, executive rooms, micro fridge, fax, copy machine, modem jacks, remote cable TV, outside outlets, restaurant discounts. Convenient location at I-30 at Hwy. 37 (between exits 146 & 147). Mailing address: P.O. Box 1227, Mt. Vernon, TX 75457.
903-588-2882 or 800-800-8000
Selah Inn at the Ranch
Reminiscent of a European Country Manor House, Selah is a luxurious 17,000 square foot Austin Stone and Timbered house completed in 1999. Snuggle up in your down pillows and comforters in one of the 11 individually decorated suites. Each room affords spectacular views of the 1,000 acre cattle ranch dotted with 10 stocked fishing lakes, majestic 100 year old oak trees, with occasional spotting of the resident deer herd. The Inn specializes in small group retreats, parties, weddings, etc., and individual guests as bookings permit. Hayrides, cookouts, sport shooting, fishing are just some of the activities at the ranch. Location and mailing address: Hwy 37 & CR NW 1050, Talco, TX 75487.
903-632-1122; fax 903-632-2233
Seven Gables Bed & Breakfast Inn
1895 Victorian home (completely renovated in 1999) is near the Downtown Square. Gourmet breakfast in the dining room; beverages and snacks are always available. Room or suite; each with private bath, monogrammed robes and a complete line of Bath and Body Works products. Photographic opportunities. Private dinners, weddings, receptions and showers. Murder Mystery dinners for groups of 8-24 people. Location and mailing address: 318 S. Kaufman St., Mt. Vernon, TX 75457.
903-537-3391
Shiloh Retreat Center
Location and mailing address: 3335 FM 21, Mt. Vernon, TX 75457.
903-855-1800
Tall Tree Marina
FM 2723, off Hwy 21, on Cypress Springs Lake - Recreational vehicle and tent spaces, cabins w/kitchenette, boat stalls, restaurant, bar.
903-860-2198
The Veranda Resort & Restaurant
Off FM 21 four miles east of Hwy 37, Mt. Vernon, with Spacious rooms, private baths, Jacuzzi, DDS satellite TV, pool, fountain, full breakfast. Elegant four course meals?reservations only. Parties, weddings, events are a specialty.
903-588-2402 or 888-257-0180; www.ourveranda.com
FURTHER NOTES ON ATTRACTIONS
We have maps at the Majors-Parchman House (Historical Association headquarters at 701 South Kaufman Street) with suggested routes for exploring the county. We have bike trails, cemetery trails, scenic driving trails, and wildflower trails.
We have Christmas tree farms for winter holiday outings where you can select your tree and have a variety of other Yuletide activities. The Countryfest Celebration is the 2nd weekend of October each year with arts and crafts and other festivities around the town square in Mt. Vernon.
We have several pick-your-own operations for local produce, including blackberries, blueberries, plums and peaches. The Honeyhill Farm also offers cane pole rentals for youngsters (588 -2681).
Lake Cypress Springs offers a variety of opportunities; call the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce for more information at 903-537-4365.
There are 17 official Texas historical markers in the county, and over 60 homes constructed before World War I have historic designations in Mt. Vernon.