GEOGRAPHY

Location: 31.10798 N, 93.18645 W
The parish has a total area of  1,342 square miles.  1,328 square miles of it is land and 13 square miles of it is water. The total area is 0.98% water.

DEMOGRAPHICS (Census 2000)

Population
Vernon Parish  52,531

Households

CLIMATE

Vernon Parish has a semi-tropical climate that allows us to enjoy a complete seasonal cycle with pleasant spring and fall seasons.  Winter months are usually mild with cold spells of short duration, and an average temperature for January of 49 degrees.  Summer months are quite warm with an average temperature for July being 83 degrees.

HISTORY

Vernon Parish was named after George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, and was created by an act of the Louisiana legislature on March 30, 1871, from portions of the Parishes of Natchitoches, Rapides, and Sabine.  The Parish economy has largely been based on pine products since its earliest days.  The logging and lumber business became a thriving business in 1897 with the coming of the Kansas City Southern Railway still in operation today.

Burr Ferry, established in 1809 by Dr. Timothy Burr, one of the first doctors in the area, is known as the "Gateway to Louisiana". Located near the Texas border, there still stands an artillery site which was manned by the Confederacy to guard against Union movements along the "’Nolan Trace" during the Civil War. 

Leesville, an area known as "No Man’s Land" of Louisiana, was designated the seat of Vernon Parish in 1871 and incorporated on February 15, 1900.  The city was founded by Dr. Edmund E. Smart and named by his father, Senator John R. Smart for the Confederate Hero, General Robert E. Lee.  The city was laid out on the plantation owned by Dr. Smart whose home still stands and is located on the corner of First Street and Lula Street.

New Llano, a former cooperative colony which experimented with socialism was formed in 1917 by professional and skilled people.  This is where the hopes and ideals of over 10,000 people came together to create America’s longest lived socialist community, the Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony. 

The economy of the Parish was based primarily on forest products until Camp Polk was opened in 1941, after the 1939-40 maneuvers. Fort Polk, the 5th largest military installation in the nation, contains approximately 200,000 acres.  The Camp was named in honor of  Leonidas Polk, the first Episcopal Bishop in Louisiana, known as the "Fighting Bishop of the Confederacy".  With the constant movement of soldiers and their dependents in and out of the parish. Vernon experiences a unique blend of culture from numerous states and countries creating a true "melting pot."

ENTERTAINMENT, RECREATION AND LEISURE

Situated in the beautiful rolling hills and long-leaf pine forest of Western Louisiana, cut by creeks and bayous that flow out from the woods and into beautifully expansive reservoirs and lakes, Vernon Parish is full of opportunities for the outdoorsman and the nature lover.

• Kisatchie National Forest
• Anacoco and Vernon Lakes
• Public Boat Launches and Campsites
• Guided Canoe Tours
• Hunting, Fishing and Hiking
• Three Golf Courses
• Fort Polk Military Museums
• Museum of West Louisiana
• Gallery One Ellleven - Art Gallery
• Six Screen Cineplex Theatre
• Bowling Alley
• Skating Rink
• Health Clubs
• Covered Pro Rodeo Arena

With the abundance of trees in Vernon Parish, a nature-lover can walk through the many forested areas to his heart’s delight. Any water-sports enthusiast can find fun at Vernon Lake, Anacoco Lake or world-famous for bass Fishing, Toledo Bend Reservoir with 1200 miles of shoreland. History buffs can browse through the Museum of West Louisiana on South 3rd Street in Leesville, then stroll up the street to the historical Vernon Parish Courthouse. Kisatchie National Forest is teeming with serenity at Little Cypress Pond, Fullerton Lake or Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Areas.

There are 6 incorporated communities in Vernon Parish.


Community
Meetings Schedule

 

Group Meeting	Time	Monthly
Leesville City Council	5 pm/2 pm	2nd & 4th Monday
Vernon Parish Police Jury	10 am	3rd Monday
Vernon Parish Police
Jury Committee	5 pm	2nd Monday
Vernon Parish School Board	10 am	1st Thursday and
	5 pm	Following Tuesday
Greater Vernon Chamber
of Commerce Board	8:00 am	3rd Thursday
Vernon Parish Library Board	3:30 pm	4th Wednesday
		of every quarter
Vernon Parish
Tourism Commission	8:30 am	3rd Tuesday
Museum of West Louisiana	5 pm	2nd Tuesday
New Llano Town Council	7 pm	4th Tuesday
Hornbeck Town Council	6 pm	1st Monday
Simpson Town Council	6 pm	1st Monday
Anacoco Town Council	7 pm	1st Monday
Rosepine Town Council	7 pm	2nd Thursday

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