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The Spice Is Right Come see why everyone is raving about our fresh and delicious Mexican food!

Lupes

529 Hwy. 287 E. | Vernon, Tx

940-552-2622 Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

â€œProudly Serving Our Communityâ€?

At Advanced Rehab & Healthcare in Vernon, residents receive quality care from trained nurses and therapists. Our newly developed facility has state of the art equipment to aid in health and recovery

4401 College Drive

Vernon, TX 76384

Phone: (940) 552-9316

Legacy of the Waggoner Ranch Waggoner Ranch : Special stories celebrating the history and legacy of the “largest ranch under one fence.” D • The legend of Poco Bueno Pages 20-24 D D • Remembering the Electras Page 56

Celebrate history • Roy Orbison and Jake Teagarden: Vernon’s famous musicians Page 60 • Red River Valley Museum Page 57 • Wilbarger County Historical Museum Page 49 • Monuments and memories Pages 32-33 • Doan’s Adobe Page 55 • County place names Page 7

Institutions • Wilbarger General Hospital Page 11 • Vernon College Page 13 • Vernon Independent School District Page 53 • AutoKraft Page 19 • Carnegie Library Page 56 • Lupes restaurant Page 17 • Rogers Lodging Page 37

What’s inside Things to do, see and be a part of... Lodging Guide Page 37

Summer’s Last Blast Page 51-52

Restaurant Guide Page 17-18

Hunting & shing guide Page 25-30

Facilities Guide Page 45-46

Christmas on the Western Trail Pages 35-36

The Aquatic Center Page 15-16

Vernon Map Pages 31-32

Parks and activities Page 40

Vernon Burnin’ Page 47

Rodeos Page 42

Agriculture Page 38

Welcome to Vernon Dear Visitor, Welcome to Vernon, Texas a beautiful West Texas community full of friendly people. Whether you’re here for business, vacation, or have lived here for years, we welcome you and hope you nd your stay in Vernon a pleasant one. We encourage you to use this community guide to assist you during your stay. Vernon has something for everyone. We have lots of local dining and shopping here. Choose from a combination of gift stores, antique stores, clothing and traditional shops. You will have no problem nding what you need here including a great meal– our restaurants in Vernon are the best around! As for recreation, Vernon offers a variety of options. There are multiple parks and tennis courts, a golf course, walking path, and a state-of-the-art aquatic center, which includes a zero entry pool, water slide, and lazy river. We have some of the best hunting in the state. There have been numerous records set here. We have two great museums including the Red River Valley Museum on Vernon College campus and the Wilbarger Historical Museum downtown. Both showcase Vernon’s interesting history and are a must see. We also host a variety of events throughout the year including the PRCA Santa Rosa Rodeo, Summers Last Blast and Cruise, Vernon Burn’n Bike Ride, and many other great events. We are extremely proud of our community college Vernon College and our Vernon Independent School District. Our schools are staffed with some of the best teachers in the nation. Our proud sports traditions, keep us competitive and moving forward. We are also home to North Texas State Hospital, a state of the art forensic facility. We are home to the famed Santa Rosa Palomino Club, Texas’s Ambassadors on Horseback. They have represented us and the Santa Rosa Rodeo throughout the nation. We are an agricultural based community with a rich history. The rst settlers to the area was the Doan family who set up a trading post to trade with the Indians and the cattle drivers that drove cattle up the Great Western Trail, also known as the western pathway of the Chisolm Trail that went right through downtown Vernon. We are also home to the W.T. Waggoner estate and the famous Waggoner Ranch, the biggest ranch under one fence in the United States. Stay and look around. Enjoy our beautiful sunsets and blue sky. We have many pleasant surprises served up by some of the friendliest folks you will nd on the planet. Sincerely, Joe Rogers Mayor

A place with history ... Wilbarger County was created on Feb. 1, 1858 and named for Josiah and Mathias Wilbarger, two brothers who were early-day settlers to the area. Josiah Wilbarger is the better known of the two brothers. Born on Sept. 10, 1801 in Kentucky, Josiah Wilbarger came to Texas soon after his marriage in Pike County, Mo. in September 1827 to Margaret Baker. The couple arrived at Matagorda on Dec. 26, where Wilbarger taught for a year before moving to La Grange, where he taught and did surveying until he settled in Stephen F. Austin’s colony in a bend of the Colorado River 10 miles above the site of present Bastrop. He was granted a league of land in January 1832. Josiah Wilbarger’s younger brother, Mathias, came to Texas from Kentucky in 1829 to join his brother. In August 1833, Josiah Wilbarger was a member of a surveying party that was attacked by Comanche Indians near Pecan Springs, about four miles east of the present-day site of Austin. Wilbarger was wounded with an arrow in the neck and was scalped, but managed to cover his head with a sock. He drug himself to Pecan Springs, where he was found the next day by Reuben Hornsby, who took Wilbarger to his home. Wilbarger never completely recovered from his wounds although he lived for some 11 more years. He died at his home on April 11, 1844. Wilbarger County was established in 1858 and named in honor of the two Wilbarger brothers. The county has had many interesting incidents in its history, one of which was the wolf hunt in which President Theodore Roosevelt took part. The hunt occurred in April 1905 with Comanche Chief Quanah Parker also on the hunt.

The original Wilbarger County courthouse.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Vernon , which eventually became the county seat of Wilbarger County, was not the rst settlement in the county. That distinction went to Doan’s, a community near the Red River, where the Doan family had established a trading post . In 1879, a mail line was established from Wichita Falls to points north through Doan’s. A mail route was also established south to Seymour in 1880 and settlers began to move in very rapidly. Wilbarger County was of cially organized on Oct. 10, 1881 and named for bothers Josiah and Mathis Wilbarger. The county government was established, and Vernon was incorporated in 1889. The exact origin of the town’s name is somewhat of a mystery. In the early beginnings, the village to be known as Vernon was rst called Eagle Spring by Tonkawa Indian Scouts because of eagles nesting in the cottonwood trees beside the fresh water spring. Later, a trading post was located at Condon Springs (now Hill Crest Country Club) and a community was established called Eagle Flat. The post of ce department later declined the name due to too many other towns with “Eagle.” The town’s name was then changed to Vernon. It is not clear exactly how the name was chosen.

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The original Vernon High School.

Some accounts report that it was in honor of Washington’s home, Mount Vernon with the “Mount” dropped as there were no mountains in the area. Another more colorful story suggests the town was named after “Vernon Brown,” a whiskey drummer, who left free samples of his wares.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. FREE ESTIMATES

Auto Kraft Collision Center Over 25 Years Experience

1605 Wilbarger St. • Vernon, TX 76384 • Shop: (940) 552-0687 • Cell: (940) 642-2373 Heath Smith, Owner

Wrecker Service

CONTRIBUTORS

Bret McCormick, Publisher

Clint McCormick, Advertising Director

Daniel Walker, Managing Editor

Payton McCormick, Regional Editor

Charles Ashley, Press Supervisor

Joyce Ashley, Lifestyles Editor

Christi Jouett, Graphic Design

Chance Baskerville, Sports Editor

Stephanie Stanley, Reporter

Your community Your hospital z Level IV Trauma ER Department z Walk-In Clinic

z Home Health Care

z Hospice Room

z Dialysis

z Rehabilitation Department featuring physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and aquatic therapy

920 Hillcrest Dr.

940-552-9351

www.wghospital.com

WELLNESS

Wilbarger General meets community needs When Wilbarger General Hospital was built in 1969 the purpose and intent of the hospital were simple – to be a part of the community and provide quality healthcare for the residents of Vernon, Wilbarger County and the surrounding area. In the following 45-plus years there have been a multitude of advancements in medical treatments and healthcare services, and while Wilbarger General has strived to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in medical technology, the foundation the hospital was built on - to be a medical facility the community could depend on - has never wavered. “The rst and most important priority for everyone at WGH is service. We are here to serve individuals who are dealing with acute or chronic health concerns just as we are here to serve individuals in their quest for disease prevention and wellness,” said hospital Chief Executive Of cer, Claudia A. Eisenmannn. While Vernon is lucky to be home to 10 practicing healthcare professionals, there is still an urgent need for additional healthcare professionals. With that in mind, the hospital has made recruiting healthcare professionals to the area a top priority. As Eisenmannn said, “Our medical staff is aging, yet the various health and wellness needs within our community continues to grow. As a result, we are working to recruit more primary care physicians, advanced practice nurses, and surgeons to be a part of our mission of service to Wilbarger County. Our goal

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is to have at least 2-3 new physicians joining the WGH team during 2016.” When residents do require a stay in the hospital, they will nd themselves on the recently renovated 3rd oor Medical/Surgical Unit which features 20 large, private rooms all with new paint schemes, lighting, decor and at screen TVs, along with the latest nurse’s call system and computers in each room as the hospital now uses an electronic medical records system. For patients who may need constant nursing supervision, the hospital also has a 4-bed monitored unit. New observation deck/waiting room areas are also located on either end of the new oor and provide plenty of natural lighting. Another new addition to the 3rd oor is a Hospice Room that is dedicated to Hospice patients. Most of the hospital equipment has been removed and the room décor provides a homey, warm atmosphere. The room is also located away from the nurse’s station and elevator to give families more privacy. When faced with a medical emergency, residents can turn to Wilbarger General’s Emergency Department, which is a Level IV Trauma Center. The Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day/seven days a week with quali ed physicians along with nurses certi ed in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and specialized trauma care. In an effort to provide residents with convenient, faster medical care for those with non-emergency matters, WGH has

the Walk-In Clinic. Located in Suite 800 of the Doctors Clinic, the Walk-In Clinic is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. “We offer many of the same core services that are offered at larger hospitals,” Eisenmann explained. “In addition, we are constantly evaluating the addition or enhancement of services that make sense for our community and the population we serve. The residents of Vernon can expect to see expanded service offerings announced through print and social media during 2016.” The Laboratory and Radiology departments offer the latest in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. This includes a revolutionary new MRI machine designed to quickly perform high-quality MR scans with a high level of patient comfort. The machine can signi cantly reduce exam time and has a wide opening to accommodate patients of varying size, age and physical condition. Other Radiology Department services include x-rays, CT scanning, mammography, DEXA scanning, bone densitometry, ECHO cardiography, diagnostic sonography and much more. Laboratory Department services include blood banking, microbiology, drug screening and blood chemistries. WGH is also the only hospital in the area that has an inpatient behavioral health program dedicated to senior citizens. The Western Trail Behavioral Health Unit is also the area’s only behavioral health unit located inside a medical hospital, so physical health issues can also be treated.

WGH ...

The Western Trail Behavioral Health Unit is a shortterm, inpatient treatment facility for seniors struggling with depression, grief, dementia and other mental health issues. An intensive out-patient program, the Alternatives Program, is also available for senior citizens suffering from depression, anxiety and other disorders who could bene t from counseling services. Wilbarger General also has an outstanding Rehabilitation Department, Home Health Department, Surgeon’s Clinic, Surgery Department and Kidney Dialysis Center. Wilbarger General and its 170 employees are very active in the community. The hospital has a Relay For Life team, delivers Meals on Wheels, takes part in the annual Santa Rosa Rodeo Parade, conducts several health fairs throughout the year, and has a “Santa For Seniors” project in December. “As an employee of one of the community’s most valuable resources, I believe that one of the most important things my colleagues and I can do to demonstrate our commitment to serve is to be fully present and engaged in activities and events that make Vernon better, particularly

if those events have a health or wellness theme,” Eisenmann stated. “A community hospital, by its very nature, touches every person and crosses every boundary. Thus, my colleagues and I must be willing to participate in events that do the same.” Wilbarger General Hospital is located at 920 Hillcrest Drive. Additional information on services is available at 940-552-9351 and at www.wghospital.com.

Gin & Elevator

Farmer Owned Cotton Ginning • Fertilizer Wheat Elevator

1000 Hwy. 287 E. • Vernon

552-6277 The WGH auxiliary officers

FINANCING L AND OWNERSHIP

Let us finance your investment FINANCING

SERVICES

Rural Land Livestock & Equipment Homes Improvements Farms & Ranches Agribusiness Operating Capital

Real Estate Appraisal Crop Insurance Leasing

NMLLS 4 NM NMLS 4938 493 49 93 9 38 3 28 8

Vernon Credit Ofﬁce | 1725 Deaf Smith St. 940.552.2585 | CapitalFarmCredit.com proud member of the Farm Credit System

Vernon College -- a tradition of success Vernon College is an accredited two-year community college with the home campus located in Vernon and the taxing district of Wilbarger County. Vernon College operates the home campus as well as learning centers in Wichita Falls and Seymour focusing on extending a wide scope of educational opportunities to students in a twelve county service area. In addition to traditional academic transfer courses, the college offers a number of programs in allied health and workforce/technical areas to prepare students for the local, regional, and statewide workforce. Vernon College offers day and night courses in 8 and 16 week terms during the

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fall, spring, and summer. Fall 2014 enrollment for Vernon College including all locations was around 3000 students. The Vernon Campus offers a Student Residence Center, recreational facilities, and food service for a complete campus-living experience. It is also the home of the Chaparral Rodeo, softball, baseball and volleyball teams. Tuition, fee and book expenses for Vernon College are approximately $2,500 per semester for a full time student, but vary by program. Information: call 940.552.6291 or visit the website at www.vernoncollege.edu.

The parks in Vernon are great for families. Each park has picnic areas, playground equipment and a unique setting that can be enjoyed by everyone.

ALLINGHAM PARK LYDAY PARK D.L. GREEN PARK ROY ORBISON PARK

When the weather starts to heat up, the AquaƟc Center at Roy Orbison Park is the place to be. The newly built aƩracƟon opened in 2013 and is a hotspot for the community during the summer months. Private parƟes can be scheduled by calling the City of Vernon oĸces at

940-552-2581

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Time to cool off? Visit Vernonâ€™s Aquatic Center

When the temperatures begin to rise, nothing could be more refreshing than a dip in the water at Vernonâ€™s state-of-the art aquatic center. Vernon unveiled the attractive aquatic center, located at Orbison Park, 4400 Sand Road, during the summer of 2012. The pool is open to the public six days a week, weather permitting. The pool is closed each Monday for cleaning. Hours of operation are from noon to 6 p.m. Pool parties can also be scheduled on specific evenings. The Aquatic Center includes a state-of-the art pool house, a water slide, three swimming lanes, diving board, beach entry access, a mushroom shower and a lazy river as well as free Wi-Fi access for patrons. The Aquatic Center has a capacity to hold 425 people with an average expected attendance of 325 a day. It holds 180,000 gallons of water and takes up 75,000 square feet. The Orbison Clubhouse and Flora Belle Gazebo at Orbison Park are also available for family reunions, banquets, and meetings. For reservation scheduling and fee information about any of the parks and recreation facilities, contact City Hall at (940) 552-2581.

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DINING Lupe’s offers quality fare One of the newest restaurant in town, Lupe’s, gives locals another choice when it comes to eating Mexican food. Lupes is located on 529 Hwy 287 East, and it is in the building where Bara’s Restaurant was formerly located. Lupe’s is co-owned by Carlos Ramos and Arturo Martinez. Lupe’s restaurants are family owned and operated by Carlos Ramos. Carlos Ramos began working in the kitchen in the Mamacita’s Restaurant. He worked his way

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up from dishwasher, to meal preparations, to nally become the head cook. In 2010, Carlos and his brother opened their rst restaurant in Altus, Oklahoma. After the success of that restaurant, Carlos decided to open another restaurant which he named Lupe’s in Elk City. Vernon’s Lupe’s followed shortly after. “Lupes Restaurant has a different view of staf ng than most restaurants,” managing co-owner, Martinez said. The more we invest, the better the quality of service.” He explained that satis ed customers are returning customers and returning customers is their main goal. One thing that Lupe’s owners realized early was that most customers want their food and service in a hurry. Because of that, Lupe’s has 50+ employees working at the same time. Instead of one person trying to do several jobs, each employee is only responsible for the one job. There are two managers at Lupes at all times; one in charge of the front, and one in charge of the

Places to eat in Vernon Vernon offers a wide variety of dining experiences. The city’s location as a historic crossroads means that a variety of cultures converge here. This is ranching country and steaks are an integral part of that cultural. Several local restaurants offer great steaks at affordable prices. There are also multiple national and regional chain restaurants. Then there are the pizza, burgers, cat sh, BBQ, Mexican, ethnic, breakfast options -- Vernon has many choices for any taste. Breakfast • Brown Cow, 3205 U.S. 287 Frontage Road, offers a breakfast buffet 7 days a week. • Huddle House, 2800 U.S. 287 Frontage, offers breakfast 24 hours a day. • Herring Coffee Shop, 1900 Pease Street • Taqueria Jalisco, 3511 Wilbarger Street Mexican • Mestizo’s, 5115 College Drive, famous for its award-winning salsa. • Lupe’s, 529 U.S. 287 Frontage Road • Brown Cow, 3205 U.S. 287 Frontage Road • Taco Casa, 4200 College Drive • Taqueria Jalisco, 3511 Wilbarger Street, known for authemtic breakfast burritos.

Places to eat in Vernon • Bevo’s, 4000 Wilbarger Street, enjoy a burger while cheering on the Longhorns. • Fred’s Corner Grille, 2327 Main Street, a Vernon tradition since 1961. • McDonald’s, Hillcrest Plaza Center, recently remodeled has a 24-hour drive-thru. • Vernon Burger, 2330 Wilbarger Street • Subway, Hillcrest Plaza Center BBQ • Dickie’s, 4201 College Drive, big screen TVs are tuned to the sports on gameday. • Duncan’s Smoke House, 829 Wilbarger Street • Mic’s BBQ, 3011 U.S. 287 Frontage Road Chicken, etc. • Chicken Shack, 3901 Wilbarger Street Pizza • Mr. Jim’s, Hillcrest Plaza Center, offers a lunch buffet. • Pizza Hut & Wing Stop, 2230 Wilbarger Street, recently remodeled and a popular spot. The Friendly staff at Mestizo’s

Chinese • China Buffet, 2424 Wilbarger Street, an all-you-can-eat buffet with lots of variety. Wings • Ray’s Fish and Wings, 3108 U.S. 287 Frontage Road. Want to wtach your team play? This sports bar features numerous TVs with multiple games playing. • Pizza Hut & Wing Stop, 2230 Wilbarger Stree Steaks • Rusty Spur Steakhouse & Saloon, 1117 Hillcrest Drive, open late offers a full service bar. • Three Hearts, 1722 Pease Street, located in historic downtown on the courthouse square. • Hillcrest Country Club, 4400 Country Club Road, open to the public for lunch and dinner and it features a Sunday lunch buffet. Diners • Herring Coffee Shop, 1900 Pease Street, offers daily lunch specials.

Lupe’s ... kitchen area. Due to all of the help, both outside and inside the kitchen, the average time for someone to get a lunch plate is eight minutes, with the average time of a supper plate being 15 minutes. Lupe’s success is also credited with the different food choices they offer. There are more than 20 different lunch items and eight different sauces, where most restaurants offer two sauces. Some of the specials of Lupe’s include Shrimp Barchette which is a cheese stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon, a stuffed avocado, and a Crispy Relleno. “The Crispy Relleno really put us on the map. Other restaurants had them, but ours was better and crisper than you can nd anywhere else,” manager Shane Lobaugh said. Along with the specialty items, the thing that the owners believe really sets Lupe’s apart from other restaurants is that everything on the adult menu is homemade. “Every enchilada is hand rolled, every sauce is made every morning, every chip made that day, and all ingredients are fresh,” Lobaugh noted. The Lupe’s owners are also known for serving large portions. “You pay once and eat twice,“is a motto often said by staff and customers alike. Lupe’s Restaurant supports the local Lions football team by offering a 10 percent discount per person on Fridays before the home football game if the customer brings to the restaurant a proof of ticket purchase. Lupe’s is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They have a “happy hour” daily from 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Auto Kraft:

There to help during auto emergencies

ver since he was a teenager, Heath Smith has enjoyed working on cars. “Cars have just always been a passion with me,” Smith said. “I still have my very rst car- a 1966 Chevelle Super Sport. I started working on my own cars as a teenager, then when I was about 17, Mike McDaniels recommended me to his cousin, Bill Haynes in Chillicothe. Bill owned a body shop there, and he hired me to work for him.” Smith said Haynes taught him the paint and body business. “Bill showed me the basics. It was all hands-on. You don’t learn anything until you actually do it.” Smith’s love of cars has continued through the years and eventually resulted in his opening his own business around 2006. He quickly established a reputation for expert, quality work at affordable prices, and the business began to grow. Now called Auto Kraft Collision Center and Wrecker Service, Smith is located at 1605 Wilbarger. The business has expanded from the initial paint and body shop to now include a wrecker service as well. Smith was born in Vernon, a son of Sandy and Terry Smith. He graduated from Vernon High School and attended Vernon College. He has two sons, Tyler, age 16, and Creed, age 10. Even in his spare time, Smith enjoys being around cars, and this past year, he joined the Vernon Street Machines and Classics Association. “They’re a great group of guys, and I especially enjoyed helping with Summer’s Last Blast this year,” Smith said. He also enjoys playing basketball when time permits, but most of the time he can be found at the shop which averages some 30-35 cars a month, keeping Smith and his crew busy.

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“All of them are a challenge in their own way,” Smith said. “Some are naturally tougher than others. We do all the work from frame work to body work, paint and nish. I enjoy seeking the nished product going from a wrecked car to making it like new again.” AutoKraft currently employs two others in addition to Smith, Cory Luster and Benny Monajoras. They do complete auto collision repair, paint and body work, windshield and glass replacement and rock chip repair, working not only on cars, but semis, pickups and farm equipment as well. The paint and nish work is done in the original building, and about a four years ago, Smith bought the larger building located just across the street where the frame work and body work are done. He expanded in to the wrecker business about eight months ago. “Offering a wrecker service is just bene cial to my business,” Smith explained. “A wrecker and a paint and body place just kind of go hand-in-hand.” However, Smith said customers have the choice of where they would like their vehicle towed, and he is always glad to comply. But vehicles don’t have to be wrecked to bene t from Smith’s work. An owner may just want a new paint job or some other body work. Smith takes pride in each vehicle that comes through his shop, and works hard to make sure his customers are always satis ed. “If they are satis ed, then so am I.” Smith can be reached at 940-552-0687 or by cell at 940642-2373. Customers can also check the business out at www. autokraftcollision.com.

Auto Kraft:

There to help during auto emergencies

VERNON NAMED AS ONE OF THE TOP 20 CITIES IN TEXAS FOR REDUCING CRIME BY SAFE CHOICE SECURITY. Using data from 2007-2012 FBI Crime Reporting Statistics, Vernon decreased the local crime rate of 62.45 to 34.27 crimes per 1,000 population or 45.13%.

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The legend of Poco Bueno By Daniel Walker For a quarter of a century Poco Bueno was the superstar and pride of the Waggoner Ranch – and his legacy lives on in pastures across the globes through his bloodline of champion stallions and mares. “Poco Bueno. The English translation reads, ‘pretty good.’ It is a wishy-washy compliment for one of the most influential sires of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s.” That is the inscription at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum in Amarillo. Poco Bueno was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 and no discussion of the Waggoner Ranch is complete without his story. The brown stallion died on Nov. 28, 1969, and was buried standing up across from the ranch entrance. E. Paul Waggoner left specific instructions in his will that Poco Bueno was to be buried in a standing position in a grave across from the entrance on U.S. 283. The plot of ground was landscaped with trees and grass. A granite marker, weighing four tons, was engraved with his name, picture and the words: “Champion and Sire of Champions.” Poco Bueno was foaled April 10 1944. Sired by King P-234 and out of the mare Miss Taylor, the AHQA states he was a plain brown colt without his sire’s regal blood bay color.

Poco Bueno acquired E. Paul Waggoner bought the brown yearling for $5,700 in 1945. A 1961 letter from the estate’s mamager at the time, G.W. Turpin, and held in the Vernon Daily Record archives, records how Waggoner acquired the horse. “Early in 1945 Mr. Paul Waggoner decided to concentrate more intensely on a breeding program of Quarter Horses. ... As would be only natural, he first began

Legacy of the Waggoner Ranch D D D

Poco Bueno, ridden by Pine Johnson. to look about for a promising young stallion. At the Stamford show in July of that year, Jess Hankins, the then owner of Poco Bueno, showed him in the yearling stud class. Poco Bueno was a very outstanding colt at that time and won his class against some other very good Quarter Horse colts. He was kept in mind as a prospect as time passed and efforts continued to find what would appear to be the stallion on which to base a breeding program,” Turpin wrote. ”On October 22, 1945, at the Quarter Horse auction sale by Jess and J.O. Hankins, Poco Bueno again was in the lime light and Mr. Waggoner decided he definitely wanted him. As the world now knows, of course, Mr. Waggoner was the successful bidder at the then very large price of $5,700.” “Soon after we got Poco Bueno, he was put under the saddle. Bob Burton was then the foreman and trainer and is the man who first saddled Poco Bueno, broke him out and started him to working cattle. Incidentally, Bob started roping calves on him but it was not long until one evening Bob came riding back to the barn from a roping workout on old Pokey and remarked to me that he thought the old pony would sure watch a cow. I said “Well then, Bob, why don’t you put your rope away and see what sort of a cutting horse you think he would make.” From that time on, Poco Bueno was a Cutting Horse. He took to it under Bob’s early handling

like a duck takes to water. He really looked good at it and, of course, had plenty of action to get the job done,” Turpin wrote. “It was not long after this, however, that Bob left and started his own business. Pine Johnson came as our foreman and trainer. Pine took over the horse and continued training him and showed him in almost all the shows where the competition was real and where his performances, as a Cutting Horse, were really outstanding. We held Pokey back pretty well from competing before the public until we felt sure he would give a good amount of himself under public observation.” His show career started when he was named champion yearling stallion at the Texas Cowboy Reunion Quarter Horse Show in Stamford, Texas. He was grand champion stallion in the 1940s at Denver’s National Western Stock Show, the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City. As a 4-year-old, in 1948, Poco Bueno started his performance career as a cutting horse. He was the first quarter horse to be insured for $100,000. “I think that where Poco Bueno first distinguished himself as a real champion was at the Denver show. The year following the show there at which he was the Grand Champion Stallion at halter,

• To visit Poco Bueno’s gravesite, from Vernon take U.S. 183/283 (The Great Western Trail) south out of Vernon. Turn left at FM 1763 -- across from the ranch headquarters entrance. The grave is at the intersection of 283 and 1763. • Poco Bueno was buried standing upright. • Purchased in 1945 by E. Paul Waggoner for $5,700, the horse died in 1969 and received front page obituaries across the country. we returned him to show in the cutting contest. Poco Bueno did not win the show but in placing third he did some outstanding work and really opened the eyes of a lot of horsemen. I think it is the first time that any of our champion halter horses had been shown getting something done under a saddle,” Turpin wrote.

The perfect horse The magazine Quarter Horse Journal profiled Poco Bueno in 1961. The magazine described the horse’s 20-stall barn at the Santa Rosa arena, where he watched everyone that came near. “Poco Bueno,” the magazine stated, “can detect the approach of admirers. Waggoner employees, so familiar with the stallion’s behavior pattern they can almost psychoanalyze him, claim that at the first scent of strangers, the horse perks up his ears and strikes a pose. And at the sight of a camera, say employees, the self-assertive strutter goes into his act and all but says ‘cheese’ and ‘shoot’.”

The legend of Poco Bueno... Turpin called Poco Bueno the perfect horse – smart and good natured. “Many, many times I have wished that Poco Bueno would talk. If ever there was a horse that actually thought for himself and oftentimes would try to figure you a little bit, it was Poco Bueno. You could just see him thinking. You could see him trying to determine for his own satisfaction and conduct just what he could get away with, just how much his handler might stand for, not ever in a malicious or even in an angry mood but in much the same way a boy will sometimes try and see how much he can get away with and still escape a reprimand from his parents,” he wrote.

A close call Turpin described a close call, in 1949, that almost ended Poco Bueno’s life and lineage. “It was a time of very severe weather conditions. Extremely cold and rainy. Ice everywhere. Phone lines and power lines were down pretty much all over. Poco Bueno was doing very well in the cutting contest. Pine Johnson was riding him and had him out for exercise a while before he was to work again. This was at the night show, therefore after dark. Pine was on Poco Bueno outside the barn and while still on the horse stopped to talk with Carol Bowman, then employed by R. L. Underwood, when Poco Bueno managed to step on a high voltage wire that was very hot and down on the ground. It knocked the horse flat and left him quite a bit of shook up. “Pine went ahead and worked cattle on him but it was pretty evident to us who know what happened that he was not altogether up for it. The interesting thing to me about it is that we realized a very short colt crop the following breeding season. Although he turned out with the usual number of mares, we got only seven or eight colts from him. Laboratory tests showed, no question but what his sterility had been effected by some cause. Under proper care and treatment he recovered his former potency which, of course, he has retained. “He has and still does produce practically a 100% colt crop each year,” he wrote. ”This near electrocution experience convinces me that electricity is not the thing to give a horse, especially a breeding stallion.”

Poco Bueno’s legacy Turpin explained how the breeding season worked for Poco Bueno. The horse was placed in pasture with 34 or 35 mares and left to fend for himself. “Each breeding season we put him out in the pasture with his band of mares and let him stay until breeding season was closed. We would turn him out, you might say, in show condition, really shining and in full bloom, then pick him up at the end of the season looking like an altogether different horse and bringing him back to the barn. He would, of course, come in pretty well skinned up and bruised and under a great deal less weight than when turned out but I think it was good for him and absolutely believe that it helped to develop him into the great horse that he became and is – both as to his conformation and disposition,” Turpin wrote.

Poco Bueno sired 405 registered foals. Of these, 36 were AQHA Champions, and three are in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Hall of Fame: Poco Mona, Poco Stampede and Poco Lena. Of the 405 registered, 222 were performers. His most successful crosses were on the daughters of Blackburn. Among his other famous get were Poco Tivio, Poco Bob, Poco Dell and Poco Pine. In his 1961 letter to the VDR, Turpin said Poco Bueno worked well with his offspring. “Another thing we did, which also attracted a great deal of attention for the horse and which I believed scored a first for such an activity, was to exhibit in performance a father and son combination. Poco Tivio very early convinced us that he was a chip off the old block, particularly when it comes to working cattle. “Willis Bennett was at the Three D’s when Tivio reached the time to be broke to the saddle and Poco Tivio was turned over to him. Willis broke him out, got him going good, handling good and worked him on cattle until we were convinced that he would give a good amount of himself with whatever sort of competition he might meet. We took Poco Bueno and Poco Tivio to the show at Paducah and entered them in the cutting contest there, each one turning back for the other. …It did attract quite a bit of attention and got us some very favorable publicity, this father and son combination, and there was quite a few attempts by others to duplicate it but it never was done successfully, I think, as it was done by Poco Bueno and Poco Tivio,” Turpin wrote. Poco Tivio’s mother, Shellwin, was no slouch either. The Shellwin-Poco Bueno pairing proved highly successful. In addition to Poco Tivio, it produced two AQHA Champions -- Poco Champ and Poco Lena. The latter is considered by many to be the greatest cutting mare of all time. She held the career earnings record just short of $100,000 -- for 16 years and, when retired as a broodmare, produced the NCHA Futurity winners Dry Doc and Doc O’ Lena. The year 1960 was a banner one for Poco Bueno progeny. Nineteen sons and daughters of Poco Bueno won 18 firsts in cutting, 10 firsts in reining, 2 first places in western riding, 2 firsts in working cowhorse, and 16 firsts in western pleasure that year. Poco Bueno was also listed as the 1960 leading sire of point earning performance horses. This classification is for stallions with three or more get that earned at least five performance points during the year. Thirty-one of his get won performance points in 1960

and twelve had 5 or more points. Poco Bueno also was declared the leading sire of halter class winners during that year. Thirty-nine of his get earned points at halter and were declared class winners 154 times and grand champions 78 times. Poco Dell, Poco Champ, Poco Tivio, Poco McCue, and Poco Pine were also listed high in this category. Poco Bueno also came in first as the leading sire of yearling 1960 halter class winners and the leading sire of 1960 arena register of merit qualifiers. Fortyseven of his get qualified for register of merit and 16 were declared American quarter horse champions. Looking at those accomplishments, the Quarter Horse Journal confirmed Poco Bueno “as the all time record sire of quarter horse champions.” Nearly a half century after his death, Poco Bueno’s legacy continues through his bloodline and is remembered at his memorial at the entrance to the Waggoner Ranch.

From the 1969 VDR The end came quietly Friday for Poco Bueno, one of the nation’s most famous horses. Owner John Biggs, who was bequeathed the noted Quarter Horse champion by his father-in-law, the late E. Paul Waggoner, announced the death of the animal in a terse note to the American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo: “Poco Bueno is now buried across from the main entrance of the Waggoner Ranch. He led a good life but finally was in such a bad shape I had to put him away to prevent further suffering. “I’ll send the registration certificate for cancellation next week.” A massive four-ton gravestone, with Poco’s likeness etched into the granite, was erected earlier this year after it became evident to Mr. Biggs that the big stallion’s days were numbered. The inscription is simple: “Poco Bueno, AQHA No. P-3044. Champion and Sire of Champions. Foaled 1944- Died 19…” A corner of a pasture near the Zacaweista Ranch entrance at the corner of the Grayback road has been cleared and landscaped for public viewing of the memorial. A mound of fresh earth a short distance behind the gravestone marks the burial location. Authorities say that Poco Bueno, a Quarter Horse champion several times over, during his lifetime earned more than $3 million in stud feeds and in sales of his sons and daughters, not to mention the stud fees of his sons who have stood at the Waggoner Ranch. He won a score of grand-championships as a cutting horse in his prime, and

continued as an active sire until last year. Poco Bueno’s photograph is in the Encyclopedia Britannica’s gallery of great horses as one of the world’s premier Quarter Horse stallions. Mr. Waggoner reportedly rejected a purchase offer of $500,000 for the prized animal at one time in his career. One local source says that Poco Bueno, dead at 25, lived to be about 100 years old as humans count their years. It was a fatal injection, rather than a bullet, that ended Poco Bueno’s misery and sent him to his final resting place – which is considerably more imposing than most human graves. But then, Poco Bueno was more famous, and earned more money than most humans. He was the greatest possible success in every way that a horse could be successful. The burial given him was a tribute to the stallion’s greatness and the esteem in which he was held by Mr. Waggoner, who preceded his great Quarter Horse in death.

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Hunting opportunities abound

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Vernon and Wilbarger County offer some of the best hunting opportunities in Texas thanks to an abundance of open grasslands, mesquite pasture and rugged, forested riverbottom land. It’s not just deer. Dove hunting in this area is one of the most plentiful anywhere. Those lands are home to not only whitetailed deer and dove but also wild hogs, turkeys, ducks, geese, game birds and occasional mountain lions. There are thousands of acres of hunting land available and river bottoms are open to the public for hunting.

•Appetizers •Ensaladas •Mexican Specialties •Burritos & Nachos •A La Carte •Kid's Menu •American Foods Also Available Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm & 5pm-9pm; CLOSED SATURDAY; Sun. 11 am-2pm

552-5263 • 5115 College Dr. • Vernon, TX

A sportsmanâ€™s paradise

When it comes to the outdoors of Wibarger County and the surrounding area it isnâ€™t hard to see what makes this North Central Texas county special. Formed in 1858, Wilbarger County is 978 square miles of diverse terrain such as open grasslands, mesquite, pasture and rugged forested river bottom land. With thousands of acres of hunting land available, sportsmen from all over the state and even the country head this way for hunting expeditions. The famous Waggoner Ranch, now owned by the Lonestar Triple-D Cattle Company, starts on the southern side of the county with over 500,000 acres of fenced private land. Hunting land surrounding the ranch is the most coveted for big bucks during deer season. But deer season isnâ€™t the

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only reason for hunters to come to Vernon. The area is home to white tailed deer, mule deer, wild hogs, javelina, turkeys, dove, ducks, geese and other game birds, as well as many varmints like coyote, skunk, badger, and much more. Farmers in Wilbarger County have a variety of crops that have helped wildlife ourish over the years such as wheat, corn, alfalfa, cotton, peanuts and other crops that give small and large animals a diverse diet. Dove season is a great time of year in the area. With all the aforementioned reasons, dove ock to the area by the thousands. Bagging a limit of any legal species is a breeze on a regular basis as long as you have enough ammo or are a crack shot. Morning, White-winged and Eurasian dove are all prevalent in the area.

Whitetail deer in this area routinely are recorded as among the stateâ€™s largest. For instance in 1998, John Wright took a bow buck that was the Pope & Young Club state record with a net score of 173 7/8 inches. He had set up a seat near a Wilbarger County watering hole hoping a warm dayâ€™s heat would lure in a parched whitetail. It did and he set the record.

Photo by Julie Bradford Lama

Fishing opportunities

Area rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and tanks can produce monster cat sh as well as other sh.

THE RED RIVER The Red River is the northern boundary of Wilbarger County and also the boundary between the states of Texas and Oklahoma. It earned its name from the red color of the water. Every early explorer, regardless of his language, called it “Red” -- Rio Rojo and Rio Roxo in Spanish, Riviere Rouge in French, and Red River in English. Even though the river was dangerous and sometimes a real menace to the early traveler because of its variable current and quicksand bottom, several important gateways developed along its length. One of the more famous of these is Doan’s Crossing in northern Wilbarger County, it was the exit point from Texas for north-bound cattle drives. Even

though the river is the state boundary, the river itself is considered to belong wholly to Oklahoma. An Oklahoma shing license is required.

THE PEASE RIVER The Pease River ows just to the north of Vernon on its way to the Red River. It begins in the caprock escarpment that separates the Rolling from the High Plains. The river begins as three branches -- the North Pease, Middle Pease and South Pease before heading east through the mesquite and prickly pear ats of northwest Texas. The three rivers join as one and eventually ow and join the Red River north of Vernon. The river is named for Elisha Pease, twice governor of Texas in the 1800s. For centuries the buffalo herds roamed the banks of the river. Deep soils and sub irrigated grassland ats provided forage and a bluff on the north side of the river offered protec-

tion from the wind in winter. The river was a major Comanche highway through the heart of their territory (Comancheria). On the river, in December 1860 west of present day Vernon, future Sul Ross led the Texas Rangers in a raid that rescued Cynthia Ann Parker (mother of Comanche chief Quanah Parker). The region’s buffalo herds and sheltering canyons allowed the Comanche to thrive. The U.S. Army waged decades long war with the Comanche at the end of the 19th century, pushing the Comanche onto reservations. Even then Vernon remained a primary trading center for the Comanche for decades and many of Parkers decendents continue to live in the area.

COPPER BREAKS Copper Breaks State Park is located about a half hour west of Vernon. This 1,933-acre state park offers camping, picnicking, and hiking and equestrian trails year-round. Fishing is allowed on the 60-acre Lake Copper Breaks. The park, whose name was derived from the copper deposits scattered throughout the area and the rugged, broken terrain, contains a visitor center with exhibits on bison and the Comanche. The park is also home to a Texas longhorn herd.

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Photo by Julie Bradford Lama

Memorials, Monuments & Memories

Vernon is the county seat of Wilbarger County -- and both the city and county have a long and distinguished history. The Great Western Trail passed through downtown Vernon on its way north to the Doan’s Crossing at the Red River. Several monunments (pictured on page 18) lay out the history of the area and the cattle trail. In addition, the Rotary Club of Vernon placed a marker recognizing the Western Trail’s route through Vernon. The marker is on the southwest corner of the courthouse square. County residents have fought in every con ict from the Civil War up to modern times. The Doughboy statue (above) was originally dedicated in December 1926 in Allingham Park to county residents killed in World War I. It was cast by Ernest Viquesney and titled “Spirit of the American Doughboy.” It features the names of 16 killed in the war. It was moved to its current location at the courthouse in April of 1994. It was restored in 2011 to replace a missing gun. There were 138 of the doughboy statues originally made, but some been lost either as scrap metal, hit by cars or destroyed by vandals. There are currently nine of the statues in Texas

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– with the Vernon statue as the oldest. Also located at the courthouse square is the county’s War Memorial. Inscribed on it are 73 names honoring those who were killed in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and in Iraq. The courthouse is also home to the the Confederate War memorial and a small cannon. The statue was dedicated in 1916. It is a full-length gure of a Confederate soldier. He wears a jacket, trousers and brimmed hat. A canteen hangs on his proper left hip and a bedroll drapes across his proper left shoulder and over his back. He holds a ri e barrel with both hands. The butt of the gun rests on the ground in front of his feet. The granite sculpture stands on a squared granite pedestal. The front face of the pedestal features a bas-relief Confederate ag. Allingham Park is home to the statute “Justice” and was crafted sometime after 1902 and is believed to have originally been dedicated as a drinking trough. It is a full-length female gure, classically dressed in long, owing robes. Her hair is pulled back in a bun. In her proper right hand she holds a pitcher or urn. The painted metal sculpture stands on a slightly rounded block which sits on top of a rectangular pedestal. The pedestal ends at the back of a long, horizontal granite slab. The front half of the slab is hollowed out for a drinking trough or basin.

Monument at Doanâ€™s Crossing

Holiday celebrat ions On the second Saturday in December, Vernon celebrates Christmas with a western twist. “Christmas on the Western Trail” involves a number of activities, including the arrival of Santa Claus that afternoon along with downtown festivities from horse rides to motorcycle rides there are activities at a number of locations around town. Vendors set up around the decorated courthouse with crafts, art and other items, giveaways and drawings, and a host of other attractions for the enjoyment of residents and visitors of all ages. That evening, the Lighted Christmas Parade winds its way through downtown Vernon with oats, antique and classic cars, bands, horses wagons, carriages and various other entries, all brightly outlined in lights and the long-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus on a colorful oat. The parade lights up the December night as it makes it way past spectators who gather in downtown Vernon for the exciting event. It’s a very distinctive way to celebrate the holiday and bring a sparkle to the eyes of the spectators. Prizes are awarded to the best decorated oats. The parade is sponsored by Vernon’s Christmas Parade Committee.

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Vernon is a festive place during the holiday season. For more than a quarter century, Pat and Glenna Bryant (below left) have spearheaded community wide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that routinely draw around a 1,000 people to the auditorium (below right). Thanksgiving night is the traditional night that the Christmas lights are lit on the courthouse square (above). The lights are a must see if you are in Vernon during December.

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LODGING Vernon features top rated hotels Vernon is home to lodging establishments -- with a wide variety of options to choose from including bed & breakfasts to affordable upscale inns, to budget conscious stays and long-term options. Rogers Lodging operates two of the top hotels in America – and they are both located in Vernon. The Vernon Holiday Inn Express earned the 2014 Torchbearer Award, which is given to approximately 90 hotels from 4,300 IHG properties that achieve the highest levels of success. The award recognizes the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of operation – from quality to customer satisfaction. The Hampton Inn of Vernon earned the 2014 Lighthouse Award, which is given annually to the top 5 percent of Hampton Inns in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Columbia. Renee Houston, manager at the Holiday Inn Express, said the commitment to excellence starts with owners Joe and Joanie Rogers. “They have high expectations.

Places to stay in Vernon • Budget Host Inn, 715 Wilbarger, 940-552-2531 • Days Inn, 3110 U.S. 287, 552-9982. • Green Tree Inn, 3029 Morton, 552-5421 • Hampton Inn, 4131 Western Trail, 552-2100. • Holiday Inn Express, 700 Hillcrest, 5520200. • Hotel Vernon, 1615 U.S. 287, 552-5417. • La Fonda Motor Lodge, 1004 Wilbarger, 553-1533. • Super 8 Motel, 1829 U.S. 287, 552-9321. • Pecan Grove B&B, 1904 Houston, 553-3827.

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And that helps us set high expectations for ourselves,” Houston said. “And I’d say that comes from my parents,” Joe Rogers said. “They had high expectations for us and the hotel. Now that’s how we train.” “It’s amazing that we are able to win something every year,” said Gary Branin, manager of the Hampton Inn. “It shows a commitment to excellence and an investment in quality.” The Hampton Inn of Vernon, located at 4131 Western Trail Drive, was built in 2011 and opened in August. It won the Vernon Chamber of Commerce Business Beauti cation Award for 2011. Since then it has been known nationally for its quality. The hotel won the Lighthouse Award for 2012, was one of the top 6 Hampton’s in the country for 2013 and continued that top performing trend with the Lighthouse Award again for 2014. This is the second time the Holiday Inn Express has won the prestigious Torchbearer Award. The hotel, which opened in 2007, won the Torchbearer in 2009.

Agricultural foundation

Wilbarger County is a very productive and fertile area for a variety of crops. Wheat, cotton and peanuts are popular with farmers in the sandy loam soils. More than 800 producers have an interest in 130,000 acres of wheat with a gross value of $8.4 million annually as of 2013. Farmers cultivated around 30,000 acres of cotton in 2012. Guar is also important, with several guar based industries located in Vernon. Pecan trees are also popular due to a high water table in many parts of the area. Cutting edge agricultural resesearch is conducted at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center. It serves the Texas Rolling Plains and state through research and education in environmental systems management, including water quality, food, feed, ber, and biofuel production, animal nutrition and health, rangeland restoration, agricultural resource economics, and natural resource conservation and protection.

Top -- Cotton is harvested at a Wilbarger County field. Middle -- Peanuts are harvested. Bottom -- The Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Center hosts an annual Wheat Field day.

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Photo by Julie Bradford Lama 44 | COMMUNITY GUIDE

RECREATION Residents and visitors don’t have to go far for recreational opportunities in and around Vernon. There are four public parks,including a state-of-the art aquatic center in Vernon as well as other activities within a short driving distance offer many recreational fun and opportunities.

LAKES, STATE PARKS Lake Kemp, a popular North Texas shing and recreational site, is located approximately 25 miles south of Vernon. Cara Blanca Park, the recreational park surrounding the lake, is owned by W. T. Waggoner Estate. The reservoir covers an area of over 16,540 acres. Tracts of land around the lake are leased on an annual lease rental basis. Entrance to the park area may be gained through either of three toll gates: Flippen Creek Gate Entrance and Moonshine Gate Entrance are directly off highway 183/283 approximately 28 miles south of Vernon; Pony Creek Gate Entrance is seven miles north of Seymour off Highway 1919. Highway signs mark the route. For a minimal daily fee, visitors may enjoy shing, boating or relaxing in the sun. There are several public boat ramps on the lake. Copper Breaks State Park consists of 1898.8 acres, and is located 38 miles west of Vernon, 12 miles south of Quanah or nine miles north of Crowell, in Hardeman County. Activities include camping, picnicking, boating, shing, mountain biking, swimming, wildlife viewing, backpacking, kite ying, summer educational/interpretive programs, horseback riding (horse rental not available), astronomy, and natural and historical exhibits. A portion of the of cial Texas longhorn herd is maintained at the park. Call 940-839-4331. The Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus is located about 15 miles west of Crowell and 45 miles west of Vernon as part of the Three Rivers Institute (3RF). Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus (CSAC) offers an array of observatories, telescopes and other viewing equipment. All star parties are free to the public. Contact 940-684-1670. Quartz Mountain State Park is located some 65 miles north of Vernon in southwestern Oklahoma on the western shores of Lake Altus-Lugert. Call (580) 563-2238.

YOUR

AD ENTURE AWAITS LODGING • DINING SHOPPING • MUSEUM VERNON, TEXAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.VernonTexas.net

The Perfect Expansion Site! Our mission - To serve as the community’s lead economic development catalyst by recruiting new industry, nurturing exsisting business and fostering a positive business atmosphere for entrepreneurial growth within the City of Vernon and Wilbarger County.

CITY PARKS Vernon has four city parks with shaded picnic areas, barbecue pits, playground equipment, and a clubhouse and pavilion available for rental from the City of Vernon (940552-2581). The parks are Allingham Park, 2700 block of Yamparika; D. L. Green Park, 201 Wilbarger; Roy Orbison Park, South Sand Road; Christine Lyday Park, located at the corner Houston and Dawson. Additionally, the ’55 Park on Main Street provides a shaded area for visitors to enjoy as well as scenery kept up by members of the VHS Class of 1955.

GOLF COURSE Hill Crest Country Club has been in operation for more than 80 years, the country club encompasses an 84-acre site that includes a nine-hole golf course, three tennis courts and a swimming pool. The golf course is open to members and their families for unlimited gol ng while non-members can golf at nine or 18-hole rates. Hill Crest Country Club also includes a golf house with a pro shop, which stocks golf balls and tees along with a variety of snacks and drinks. Membership applications are available at the club. For additional information, call 940-552-5406

Superior Quality of Life in North Central Texas • • • • • • • • •

State / Local Incentives Real & Personal Property Tax Abatements Available Skilled Workforce to Draw From Vernon College Skills Training and Curriculum Development Industrial Park Low Cost Land, Taxes and Utilities Intersection U.S. Hwy. 287, U.S. Hwy. 183-283 50,000 Square Feet of Warehousing & Distribution Space

Business siness Development p Corporation p of Vernon Contact Rick Hardcastle, Management Consultant 1724 Pease St., P.O. Box 2037, Vernon, Texas 76385 bdc@bdcvernon.com www.bdcvernon.com

Rodeo Tradition

Vernon is home to two great rodeo traditions. The Vernon College Rodeo has been held annually for 34 years and features more than 500 contestants from 15 colleges and universities competing in nine events. And for 70 years, the Santa Rosa Roundup has brought the excitement of rodeo to fans. It was in 1945 that E. Paul Waggoner decided that Vernon needed to spotlight the cowboys. By then, rodeo was a popular sport as well as a big business. The Rodeo Cowboy Association had been founded to police the sport and give it respectability. The RCA also set up a fair and accurate way to determine national championships in the sport. Waggoner dreamed of presenting an annual rodeo and quarter horse show that would dazzle the spectators. At the time, however, World War II was still being fought, so Waggoner held his plans in abeyance. In 1946, Waggoner began construction of the rodeo plant, considered one of the nest ever built. Plans of rodeo grounds throughout the United States were studied to incorporate the most modern and complete features of the time. The rst performance was held May 29-June 2, 1946 with two afternoon and four evening performances attended by some 50,000. The event was held in conjunction with a homecoming for the men and women of World War II and was dedicated to their honor. The Santa Rosa Roundup is now a premier event on the rodeo circuit. A big four-day event gets underway on Wednesday with a massive parade through downtown Vernon followed by the rst nightâ€™s performance in the rodeo arena. The rodeo continues through Saturday night with a full schedule of events, including bronc riding, bareback riding, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding, Kenneth Dockery took over the rodeo arena in 2008, purchasing it from Grady Kent Stowe and John Mikkelsen, who had owned the grounds since 1974. Dockeryâ€™s daughter, Mary Kay Riley of Amarillo, is the current owner -- but it is for sale. The arena is located just south of Vernon and includes a covered seating area to protect rodeo spectators from the weather with a seating capacity of 3,500 general admission seats.

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Vernon’s Ambassadors on horseback For 65 years, the Santa Rosa Palomino Club of Vernon has thrilled audiences with its fast-paced performances, color, spirit and dedication to maintaining a tradition of being perhaps the finest non-professional riding club in the nation. Each performance of the Santa Rosa Roundup features the famed club, which traditionally sets the pivots for the massive grand entry and then offers its own breath-taking performance for rodeo-goers. It was in 1949 that the late John Killough, manager of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and the late Walter Heard discussed having a riding club in Vernon that would promote the community and the Santa Rosa Roundup. From this conversation, a meeting of 16 men was held, and the idea received an unanimous endorsement. Committees were appointed to select shirts, hats and chaps, and it was decided that each member would ride a palomino. John Biggs was elected president of the club. Other charter members were Drew Cartwright, Elzy Youngblood, Judge A.D. Green, Earl Walker, Bill Bond, Kenneth Wolfe, I.W. Traxler, Wylie Sweatman, Mark Neal, Jess Hancock, Ervin LeBus, Walter Heard, Fred Hanna, John Killough, and L.H. (Shorty) Wall. The group made its first ride in 1950 in Childress with 29 riders. For the next two years, the club won first place trophies wherever it appeared. However, members wanted to create a uniqueness for the club unequaled by any other, so in 1953, club president M.K. Berry, who had a background of calvary training and mounted drill from his years as a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, instituted a series of ma-

neuvers which evolved into the precision drill for which the club became famous. The drills, which have changed little over the years, have become a trademark of the club’s performances. Since its inception, some 200 men have been members. They are completely selfsupporting with each man supplying his own horse and equipment and bearing his own expenses. The club, with its distinctive uniform, matching palomino horses and spectacular drill, has become well known and sought after. They have represented Vernon and the Santa Rosa Roundup from Tucson to Birmingham and from Houston to Cody, Wyo. The horsemen have earned over 400 first place parade trophies and in the two times they have entered the competition, they have both times won the title of National Drill Team Champions. The Palomino Club has ridden in two inaugural parades for the governor in Austin, ridden in two Cotton Bowl parades, an International Lions Club

parade and appeared on the Today Show as well as on ESPN and TNN. When performing for the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo in the Astrodome, the group received a standing ovation from 37,000 cheering fans. In 1989, the House of Representatives of the Texas Legislature proclaimed the Santa Rosa Palomino Club as the official “Ambassadors on Horseback” for the state of Texas. In 2010, the Palomino Club was honored in Austin with the passage of HR 909 by then-State Rep. Rick Hardcastle, congratulating the club on its 60th anniversary. Also that year, the Palomino Club was named the official “Ambassadors of the Great Western Trail.” In 2012 the group was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. The famed group also participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. in 2012, as part of the Rose Bowl Parade’s “Happy Trails” celebration of the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers.

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Facilities for both indoor and outdoor events are available in Vernon.

Area Meeting Facilities

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WILBARGER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM For banquets, parties, club meetings or other special occasions, Wilbarger Memorial Auditorium at 2100 Yamparika offers excellent facilities. Wilbarger Memorial Auditorium consists of three banquet rooms, three kitchens, a meeting room, and a main auditorium suitable for professional concerts, plays, pageants and other presentations. The large Empire Room seats 300, and the Westerner Room seats 90. The Forum Room seats 50.

Meeting areas ... The Sky Room seats 20. The large main auditorium seats over 1,980. The professional stage, lighting and sound system make the auditorium a top-quality facility for any presentation. For additional information and rental fees call 940-5533901.

GOODRUM WRECKER SERVICE

COVERED EVENT CENTER The newest of the county-owned facilities is the $1,260,000 multi-purpose covered events center which was completed in 2008 and hosted its rst events in early 2009. The Wilbarger Covered Events Center is located at 301 Wilbarger and is adjacent to the Bradley 4-H Arena and the Wilbarger County Exhibit Building. It includes seating for 400 people and space for indoor equine events such as rodeos, horse shows and other activities that can be held year-round regardless of the weather, along with various other events. It has been the site of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting competition, Oklahoma and North Texas Little Britches Rodeo, Sparkles and Spurs Women’s Ranch Rodeo, NBHA barrel racing, a number of 4-H events, high school rodeos, and the Battle of the Red Cow Dog Trials. Information on the Events Center is available by calling 940-552-7362.

“Since 1950” Damage Free Wheel Lifts & Car Carriers Light & Heavy Duty Towing

940-552-2842 • 24 HOUR SERVICE • LOCKOUT SERVICE MEMBER North Central Texas

Rocking ‘A’ RV Park

WILBARGER COUNTY EXHIBIT BUILDING The Wilbarger County Exhibit Building, located at 2215 Harrold, includes a large indoor exhibit area utilized for livestock shows and other events. It also includes facilities such as a dining room, kitchen and meeting room, which can be rented for banquets or other occasions. Rental information is available by calling 940-553-4422.

BRADLEY 4-H ARENA The Bradley 4-H Area, located next to the Exhibit Building, is a large outdoor arena with stadium seating and space for rodeos, horse shows and other events.

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Local history comes alive at the Wilbarger County Historical Museum The new Wilbarger County Historical Museum, located in the old county jail, opened in March 2015 to give visitors an entertaining and fascinating look at the county’s history and heritage. Preston Cary serves as the museum’s curator. The original building was constructed in 1912, with an addition added in the 1930s. Rewiring was required to bring the building up-todate. Along with the electric system, each room in the building also had an individual cooling system installed. Cary said that the March 27 date was chosen for the opening because that was the date that Vernon was named in 1881, after having originally being named Eagle Flat. Cary said he’s been pleased with the reaction people have when they rst enter the museum, located at 1826 Cumberland Street. “People can’t believe it,” he said pointing to comments in the guest register. “People are writing that it’s ‘fantastic,’ ‘awesome,’ ‘I can’t believe this is here,’ and ‘I learned so much about my hometown.’ People’s reaction has been very enthusiastic.” Visitors can nd memorabilia from almost every business ever located in Wilbarger County, he said. Cary spent many years searching and bartering for his huge collection of local memorabilia, which brings plenty of “ohhs” and “ahhs” as visitors discover the scope of the items displayed. At present the museum is only displaying about a third of its artifacts. Cary said the plain is to continue to add items and rotate the displays to keep it interesting for

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repeat visitors. The museum was able to use a $15,000 grant from the Vernon Tourism Committee in January to nish remodeling efforts that allowed it to open. Among modern features is a new handicap accessible bathroom. The bathroom

is self-lighting, coming on when the door opens and automatically turning off. A long-term goal is to open a genealogical and historic research room as well. Regular hours for the museum are 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Vernon Plaza celebrates rich history, embraces future The Vernon Plaza Theatre successfully completed a major overhaul in 2015 as new digital projection technology was installed. Movie-goers can enjoy the latest and best movies without having to travel. First built in 1953 on the ruins of the Vernon Opera House, the Plaza Theater was the crown jewel in the Interstate Theater Company’s line of movie houses, which included the legendary Paramount Theater in Abilene and the Hippodrome Theater in Waco. Taking full advantage of the latest technology of the time, the Plaza was the rst 3-D movie theater built in Texas. With special features like stereo sound (a new innovation at the time), a “Cry Room” for mother’s to take their unruly children and a 1,200 seat capacity, there wasn’t anything like any other movie house in the state of Texas—or anywhere else, for that matter. Over the years, a number of stars and celebrities made their way across the stage to meet and greet the citizens of Vernon. The last such appearance was by Sonny and Cher, and a great many of our older residents recall fondly seeing them here in person. Those stories, and many others, prop up the walls of the Vernon Plaza Theater. First dates, wedding proposals, anniversaries, celebrations of all kinds, and a whole bunch of “family nights” are what make institutions like the Vernon Plaza Theater so important in small towns. Movies are our common “escape” from the sometimes-sobering real world. We visit Oz, Middle Earth, galaxies far, far away, and we laugh, we cry, we jump, and we melt, together. The Vernon Plaza Theater has been vital to the imaginations of the folks in Vernon for 60 years, now.

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Vernon Burnin’ just might be your speed

Like to bike? If so, the Vernon Burnin’ Bike Ride is just your speed. For the past 20 years, bike riders have found the Vernon Burnin’ a fun and challenging event. Co-sponsored by the Vernon Jaycees and the Vernon Optimist Club, the ride is held each August and draws bike ride enthusiasts from a number of states. Four routes are offered to participants, including a 12-mile ride for beginners or those who just want to take it easy; 22-miles for the hardier rider; 38-miles for the more advanced bike rider, and a challenging 62 miles (100K) for the serious rider. 47 |

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Detailed course maps and controlled intersections are provided along with frequent rest stops stocked with water, ice, sports drinks, fruits and cookies. Road assistance is provided by sag wagons. Finish line festivities include first place awards and door prizes provided by local and area merchants. The Vernon Burnin’ starts and ends at the Vernon College southwest parking lot. At the same time the ride is taking place, there is also a kids’ event for the younger group with all participating youngsters receiving prizes.

LAKES, STATE PARKS Lake Kemp, a popular North Texas shing and recreational site, is located approximately 25 miles south of Vernon. Cara Blanca Park, the recreational park surrounding the lake, is owned by W. T. Waggoner Estate. The reservoir covers an area of over 16,540 acres. Tracts of land around the lake are leased on an annual lease rental basis. Entrance to the park area may be gained through either of three toll gates: Flippen Creek Gate Entrance and Moonshine Gate Entrance are directly off highway 183/283 approximately 28 miles south of Vernon; Pony Creek Gate Entrance is seven miles north of Seymour off Highway 1919. Highway signs mark the route. For a minimal daily fee, visitors may enjoy shing, boating or relaxing in the sun. There are several public boat ramps on the lake. Copper Breaks State Park consists of 1,898.8 acres, and is located 38 miles west of Vernon, 12 miles south of Quanah or nine miles north of Crowell, in Hardeman County. Activities include camping, picnicking, boating, shing, mountain biking, swimming, wildlife viewing, backpacking, kite ying, summer educational/interpretive programs, horseback riding (horse rental not available), astronomy, and natural and historical exhibits. A portion of the of cial Texas longhorn herd is maintained at the park. Call 940-839-4331. The Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus is located about 15 miles west of Crowell and 45 miles west of Vernon as part of the Three Rivers Institute (3RF). Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus (CSAC) offers an array of observatories, telescopes and other viewing equipment. All star parties are free to the public. Contact 940-684-1670. Quartz Mountain State Park is located some 65 miles north of Vernon in southwestern Oklahoma on the western shores of Lake Altus-Lugert. Call (580) 563-2238.

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CITY PARKS Vernon has four city parks with shaded picnic areas, barbecue pits, playground equipment, and a clubhouse and pavilion available for rental from the City of Vernon (940-552-2581). The parks are Allingham Park, 2700 block of Yamparika; D. L. Green Park, 201 Wilbarger; Roy Orbison Park, South Sand Road; Christine Lyday Park, located at the corner of Houston and Dawson. Additionally, the ’55 Park on Main Street provides a shaded area for visitors to enjoy as well as scenery kept up by members of the VHS Class of 1955.

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Summer’s Last Blast heats up Vernon’s streets In 1990, the Vernon Street Machine and Classics Association sponsored an event they called the Vernon Super Cruise. Thirty-seven cars showed up, and very few of them actually cruised. Those rst efforts, however, have evolved over the past years into an event that brings thousands of vintage and classic cars and vehicles and their owners to the streets of Vernon while an additional several thousand spectators line the curbs

to watch, listen to music, host tailgate parties, and enjoy a full schedule of activities. The year 2014 marked the event’s 25th year, and Summer’s Last Blast continues to explode onto the scene each August, drawing visitors from all across the country. In the week preceding the Summer’s Last Blast weekend, concerts, car shows and even a “Redneck” car show are all held at various businesses, while the weekend traditionally kicks off

on Friday evening with a rocking concert in Wilbarger Auditorium. In the past, such well-known artists as the Crickets, The Vels, Classic Rock All Stars, Crew Cuts with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Crystals, Kraig Parker, the Legend Lives On, 1964 Beatles Tribute, The Cowsills, The Return Beatles Tribute and Johnny Rogers have been among those entertaining the concert-goers.

It’s not just the big cruise that makes Summer’s Last Blast a great time in Vernon, there are other events including concerts, tractor and car shows as well as the Burnout competition.

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SLB ... Following the concert, Burnout Contests heat up the streets as drivers show off by “smoking their tires” for prizes. On Saturday, vintage vehicles and classic cars ll Orbison Park, headquarters for the event, as cruisers wait for the Nostalgic Cruise, the centerpiece of the weekend. The restricted Cruise, for vehicles 1978 and older, begins at 7 p.m., Saturday, lling Wilbarger Street from one side of town to the others while spectators line the curbs with live bands, vendors and a chance to view some of the nest classic, antique and vintage vehicles around. The success of Summer’s Last Blast, which now draws multitudes of visitors of all ages from throughout the United States, is the result of careful planning and dedication by members of the sponsoring organization. Vernon Street Machine and Classics Association members have deliberately stayed focused on their original goal: to bring a quality car event to Vernon. While there are similar car happenings around the country, Summer’s Last Blast remains one of the premiere, “not-to-be” missed events.

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VISD offers academic excellence The Vernon Independent School District emphasizes academics, extracurricular activities and citizenship to enable students to obtain the best education possible. The district consists of three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The elementary schools include McCord Elementary School (pre-kindergarten through first grade) at 2915 Sand Road, Central Elementary School (grades 2-3) at 1300 Paradise, and Shive Elementary School (grades 4-5) at 3130 Bacon. The secondary-level campuses include Vernon Middle School (grades 6-8) at 2200 Yamparika and Vernon High School (grades 9-12) at 2102 Yucca Lane. The district also administrates and staffs the educational program for the North Texas State Hospital Adolescent Forensic Program (AFP). In addition to the school campuses, other district facilities including the Vernon School Administrative Center at 1713 Wilbarger, a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) on London Street south of VMS, Transportation Department at 1401 Main and the athletic complex at VHS that includes the recently named Leo Brittain Field at Lion Stadium, a field house, tennis courts, softball and baseball fields along with the D.O. Fulton Gym. There are also gymnasiums at VMS and the three elementary school campuses. In addition to the academic offerings, the district offers many opportunities for students to participate in ne arts programs, career and technical programs and academic contests. All of these programs have had many successes and all have had students advance to state level competition. VISD’s fine arts program consists of the Vernon High School Roarin’ Lion Band, which consistently has students advance to state level competition in the solo and ensemble competition. The band program also added a flag corps to enhance the marching shows. The district’s choir program has grown into an excellent competition group and provides several performances throughout the year for the community. The drama department consistently advances past the district level and participated in state competition for a number of years. The visual arts program offers a wide variety of classes for students. Students can compete in a multitude of academic contests ranging from social studies to speaking starting at

the elementary level. These contests sponsored by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) are an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their skills and talents.

Vernon retirement easy, enjoyable When it’s time to sit back and enjoy the rewards of many years of hard work, Vernon is an ideal community in which to spend those retirement years. Affordable housing is available with a slower paced lifestyle, friendly atmosphere, many recreational opportunities as well as exceptional medical services. There are also quality living facilities for those who need care in their daily lives, as well as assisted living facilities for those who can pretty well manage on their own but just might require a little additional help in their senior years. Vernon also has a number of home health care agencies, offering in-home care, and of course, Wilbarger General Hospital is located right in Vernon to offer quality medical assistant. Vernon is fortunate to have a number of doctors and specialists, saving seniors the time and expense of having to travel to other towns for many of their medical needs. On the social side, the Chaparral Senior Activity Center is a hub of activity for seniors. Located behind the Vernon College campus, the center offers a variety of programs and activities for local senior citizens, including computer accessibility, exercise programs, cards and dominoes and other fun events and programs. A hot, nutritious meal is served at noon each day, and those attending enjoy the opportunity to socialize with others. Iva Belew serves as the center’s director. Information on programs and activities is available by calling Belew at 552-6114. For residents who live at home but need some help, such as with meals, the Wilbarger County Meals on Wheels program is available. Sylvia Hinojosa is director of the program and can be reached at 940-552-6114 for information on how to qualify for this service. Wilbarger County’s Senior Citizen Transportation is another service available to senior citizens, offering rides for doctor’s appointments, beauty shop, grocery shopping, Chaparral Center and other excursions. For information, call 940-839-5574. For the ladies, over 50, the Vernon Vivacious Violets and Floosy Lucy Red Hat Societies offer social entertainment. The groups offer fun, friendship, fellowship, ful llment, tness and other social bene ts with regular meetings and outings held monthly.

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The Bridge Club is one of many social opportunities for local retirees.

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Doan’s Picnic carries on pioneer tradition Since 1884, the Doan’s Picnic has offered a time of celebration, heritage and tradition. On the rst Saturday in May, hundreds of visitors gather beneath the tall trees on the lawn of the Doan’s adobe north of Vernon for the oldest continuous celebration of its kind in Texas. The adobe, which still stands and serves as the site of the event, is the oldest structure in Wilbarger County. The Doan’s picnic grew out of a time when the pioneer Doan’s family celebrated May Day with a picnic in nearby Watts Grove. The group repeated it the next year, and the picnic then became a tradition. The late 1880s was a time of cowboys and cattle drives, Indians and pioneers when land was being settled, homesteads were carved out of the wild country, and thousands of longhorns were taken down the Western Trail through what is now Vernon. The cattle were taken across the Red River near Doan’s Crossing, so called after the establishment of the Jonathan Doan’s trading post nearby. Although the once thriving community is gone, the picnic continues as a tribute to early-day settlers, cattle drivers and pioneers. In 1880, C.F. Doan took over the store and built a 30-by-50-foot building for the trading post. He also constructed corrals, branding chutes and furnaces for the trail drivers. Within a few years, he had his store in a large double building, and the rm of C.F. Doan and Company was doing a successful business. In fact, when the town of Vernon was settled, a branch store was opened. In 1881, an adobe home for the Doan family was built. The structure, which underwent refurbishing in the 1990’s, still stands today as the oldest house in Wilbarger County. It is located at the end of FMR 924, six miles north and east of the intersection at Hwy. 283 between Vernon and Altus. The adobe building was approved in 1977 for listing in the National Registry of Historic Places and is marked with a medallion from the Texas State Historical Commission. At one time, Doan’s was a thriving community with several homes, the Bat Cave Café, McBride Hotel, Doan’s store and adobe warehouse, Louie’s blacksmith shop, Dr. F.C. St. John’s drug store, Hufstedler’s wagon yard, Charles Cleveland store, the Cowboy Saloon, headquarters and warehouse of Bar-H Ranch, churches, schools and other buildings. Doan’s was said to be the largest supply house outside of Fort Worth in 1892. Trail drivers, cowboys, buffalo hunters, pioneers, settlers and Indian made Doan’s their stop along the trail. But gradually the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad approached the prairies, and freight cars eventually replaced the trail herders to northern shipping points. Eventually, the community became deserted and now only a few homes occupy the land. The adobe house and granite markers pay homage to the history of the area. The picnic for many years included a variety of event and activities including horse racing, carnival rides, political speeches, music, food and even airplane

rides. Crowning of a queen began in 1911, and a king was added in 1939. In 1968, the Doan’s Picnic Association began honoring a man or woman of the year, which changed some 10 years later to honoring both a man and woman. The traditional picnic was held for many years at the original site of Watts Grove, but due to ooding some years back, the event has now been moved to the spacious lawn which surrounds the Doan’s adobe. There visitors can settle beneath the shade of many large trees and watch as a Doan’s Picnic king and queen are crowned, pioneer ranch brands are recorded, Northside High School serves up taste-tempting Texas barbecue right on the spot, and visitors can still walk through the adobe and sign the guest book there. While the picnic is a much simpler event today than it has been in decades past, it remains as a celebration of heritage, tradition and honor of those early pioneers whose fortitude and determination settled the land.

Doan’s Picnic royalty

Texas Tech students tour the adobe with Judge Greg Tyra and commissioner Richard Jacobs.

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THE VERNON FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT HAS PROUDLY BEEN SERVING THE CITIZENS OF VERNON AND WILBARGER COUNTY SINCE 1889.

The current population of Wilbarger county is 14,550 with 11,660 residing in Vernon, and has 971 square miles. Vernon has an ISO rating of Class2. ISO ratings are from 1 (best) to 10 (worst) and are based on communications, Fire Department, and water systems. Only 136 of the 3500 Texas cities, and 1.6% of cities nationwide rated have an ISO rating of Class 2.

Red River Valley Museum undergoes major renovations Exciting things are happening at the Red River Valley Museum in Vernon. Renovations have been taking place on the foyer and the M.K. Berry Gallery. Now the construction signs down as the museum celebrated a grand re-opening in late 2015. According to past museum board president Staley Heatly, the goal of the project is to modernize the museum with a fresh new look that includes exciting new exhibits with audio, video, and graphics. “We want our visitors to have an awesome visual experience as they learn about the fascinating history of this area,” Heatly stated. “While we haven’t fully completed the renovations, visitors will still notice a big difference when they walk into the museum.” Founded in 1964, the Red River Valley Museum moved into its current location on the campus of Vernon College in 1985. The Museum has three main galleries: The M. K. Berry Gallery, The Bill Bond Gallery, and The Waggoner Gallery. The Berry Gallery includes the J. Henry Ray Collection of fossils and native artifacts, the Western Trail, Doan’s Crossing and Picnic, and important Vernon businesses and families. The Bond Gallery exhibits Mr. Bond’s one hundred and thirty ve wild game trophy mounts from around the world. The history of the

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famous Waggoner Ranch is on display in the mural art of Adrian Martinez and in the replica of the studio of world renowned artist Electra Waggoner Biggs. There are several items of interest from the largest ranch under one fence in the United States. “The new displays are eye-catching, entertaining, and very educational,” Yoakum said. “We are already one of the best attractions in the area, but with these changes I expect we will receive even more traf c from out of town guests.” The Red River Valley Museum boasts an average of over 4,500 guests each year with a large percentage being out of town visitors. Plans for the redesign of the museum can be seen on its Facebook page and are also

available for review at the museum during normal businesses hours. According to Heatly, the foyer and Berry Gallery redesign is the rst phase of a multi-phased project to improve all of the exhibit space and galleries in the museum. “In a couple of years we hope to have a completely redesigned museum from start to nish,” Heatly stated. “It’s been over 20 years since we last updated the museum and when we are nished with this round, we will have a museum that can match any in the state.” The museum is a non-pro t corporation and all donations are tax deductible. If you would like to assist with the redesign project, please contact Sherry Yoakum at 553-1848.

Remembering the Electras Legacy of the Waggoner Ranch D D D Electra Waggoner Biggs made a name for herself as a world famous artist before her death at the age of 88. A room at the Red River Valley Museum is dedicated as a reproduction to her work studio, which was located at her residence on the Waggoner Ranch. Electra also inspired the naming of an automobile, the Buick Electra, and of an aircraft, the Lockheed Electra. Harlow H. Curtice, president of General Motors’ Buick Motor Division when the Buick model was named in 1959, was the brother-in-law of Biggs husband, John Biggs, who died in 1975. Biggs also gured in a pivotal event in the history of her family’s oil and ranching interests. In 1991, the controlling shareholders in the Waggoner estate, son-in-law Gene Willingham and cousin A.B. “Bucky” Wharton III, disagreed on how to protect the fortune from dropping energy prices and land values. So Biggs asked a Wilbarger County state district judge in Vernon to sell the ranch and distribute the proceeds to its

shareholders. Twenty- ve years later, the ranch prepared to nally leave the Waggoner family at the end of 2015. Born in 1912 in Fort Worth to E. Paul and Helen Waggoner, Biggs began sculpting while studying in New York. She went to Greenwich Village and found she had a knack for sculpting. In her artistic career, Biggs was commissioned to do busts of Bob Hope, Knute Rockne, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry Truman. But her most famous work may be “Into the Sunset,” the bronze statue in Fort Worth of the late humorist Will Rogers astride his horse, Soapsuds. Texas Monthly, in Sept. 1992, described how she came into sculpting. Following a divorce from her rst husband she returned to New York, and took up sculpture. “To Electra’s surprise, she discovered that she had a talent for sculpting. At her rst

exhibition in 1938, she sold every piece, including a bust of her maid that California millionaire Huntington Hartford bought for $3,000. In a 1938 newspaper article, Electra said she had always wanted to be a sculptress ever since she was a kid. Even when she was going to nishing school in New York, she was studying art on the side. Once she found the knack, she jumped in full throttle. She took a special course at Columbia, lived in the Village and worked with sculptors. Then she spent a year studying in Paris, at the Sorbonne.

A FAMILY NAME Electra was named for her aunt -- Electra Waggoner, born in 1882 on the ranch and named after her maternal grandfather, Electius. She and younger brothers E. Paul and Guy were the three surviving children of W. T. and his wife Ella. Ranch hands called Electra the “Princess of the Panhandle,” before she attended a nishing school in Nashville in 1897. Three years later, she went on a trip around the world. She returned in November 1901 with a butter y tattoo and a new ancé, Albert B. Wharton, of Philadelphia, that she had met in the Himalayas. During this time, the residents of Beaver tried to change the name of their Wichita County town to “Waggoner.” W.T. instead changed that to “Electra” as a birthday present for his daughter. Electra was known for her lavish ways. She was the rst customer to run up a $20,000 tab in a single day at Neiman Marcus. Fresh owers were delivered to her home daily. Reportedly, she insisted on being the rst to try any garment and never wore anything twice. Electra Biggs only shared one memory of her aunt, Electra, that she had hundreds of shoes and she remembered playing with them in her closet. Electra Waggoner Wharton Gilmore died from cirrhosis of the liver on Thanksgiving Day at age 43.

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Carnegie City-County Library offers books, latest technology to bring past, present together

The Carnegie City-County Library has been serving Vernon and the area since 1916. The library has grown from offering books to the public to now making available a number of services, including publications, books on CDs as well as offering wireless internet and public computer services as it keeps up with the latest technology. In 2012, the library underwent an extensive expansion process which increased the overall space from 8,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet and allowed more room for expanded services including facilities such as a computer room, book store and study room along with renovations to the circulation desk area, work room and the addition of a community meeting room. The expansion was made possible through a generous gift by Jim and Marian White. Jim White had a career few men will ever know. As a barnstormer, crop duster, Trans-World Airlines pilot and Lockheed test pilot, White’s love for ying spanned a colorful 30 years with White being at the forefront of the then- edging jet age and becoming one of the very rst jet test pilots. The Wilbarger County native retired from his career in 1966 and passed away in 2006. But his legacy lives on – not only in his numerous aviation achievements, but also in another notable way. It was a generous bequeath from White and his wife Marian that has made possible the renovation project at Carnegie City-County Library. Displays at the front of the main room of the library tell the Whites’ story as a tribute to the generous couple. Located at 2810 Wilbarger, the library began with an idea proposed by L.K. Johnson, a Vernon banker. Johnson shared this idea with the Young Men’s Business League, and the group secured a donation from the Carnegie Foundation. On Jan. 8, 1915, the City of Vernon accepted the Carnegie Foundation’s grant of $12,500, contracting to furnish a building and site for the library and to contribute annually for its maintenance at 10% of the amount of the original grant. A two-story brick structure was erected as the corner of Pease and Cumberland with the rst librarian, Miss Flora Lowrey, assuming her duties on July 1, l916. Miss Lillian Newton became librarian exactly one year later and remained so until 1950. By 1920, approximately 4000 volumes had been collected with a yearly circulation of about 16,000. The library housed approximately 8,000 volumes when a re destroyed the building in February 1928. The building was rehabilitated and with the 1,500 books that had been saved from the re, the library reopened in September of that same year. In 1941 a children’s department was opened in the basement of the building. In August 1978, papers were signed for the purchase of the TG&Y building located at 2810 Wilbarger Street. This building was remodeled and still houses the current library. The library is funded equally by the City of Vernon and Wilbarger County. The library board consists of Joni Streit, president; Meg Filbey, vice president; Kathy Handley,

Vernon’s famous musicians

Vernon has been home to at least two legends in the world of music. Jazz great Jack Teagarden and rock and roll legend Roy Orbison were both born in Vernon.

Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1985.

ROCK ‘N ROLL LEGEND

JAZZ GREAT A museum to honor jazz great Jack Teagarden is currently in progress in downtown Vernon. The museum will be located in the former Goodyear Building on Wilbarger Street. Teagarden was born Weldon Leo Teagarden in Vernon on Aug. 20, 1905, to Charles and Helen Teagarden. His father was an oil worker and his mother a piano teacher and church organist. All four Teagarden children became musicians. Teagarden’s father was an amateur brass band trumpeter and started young Jack playing the baritone horn. By the age of 10, Teagarden had switched to playing trombone. His mother gave him piano lessons as well. The trombone, however, would become his trademark. He made his rst professional appearance playing duet with his mother at the local movie house in Vernon and later played in Chappell, Neb., where the family moved after the death of Jack’s father when Jack was 13. At age 16, he played with a quartet group at the Horn Palace Inn in San Antonio led by drummer Cotton Bailey who gave him the nickname, “Jack.” In the late 1920’s, his career soared when he joined the Ben Pollack Orchestra while beginning a proli c recording career, singing with notable band leaders and sidemen as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, Jimmy McPartland, Mezz Mezzrow, Glenn Miller and Eddie Condon. He was featured on most of the major recording companies including RCA Victor, Columbia, Decca, Capitol and MGM discs. Among his most famous recordings were “The Sheik of Araby” “Stars Fell on Alabama” and “Basin Street Blues.” Teagarden had a edgling movie career with several appearances in “The Birth of the Blues, “The Glass Wall” and “Jazz on a Summer’s Day”. Teagarden joined the Paul Whiteman band in 1933, and Louis Armstrong’s All-Stars. Teagarden later left Armstrong and formed the Jack Teagarden All Stars Dixieland band in 1951. He died in 1963 and was inducted posthumously into the

Born Roy Kelton Orbison on April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Roy Orbison changed the sound of rock and roll music with his distinctive voice. His career spanned over four decades and included such hits as “Only The Lonely,” “In Dreams,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Crying,” “Blue Bayou,” “Candy Man,” “Uptown,” “Leah,” and countless others, many of which are still played and enjoyed today. Orbison’s mother, Nadine, was a nurse, and his father, Orbie Lee, an oil eld worker who gave him his rst guitar. The rst song Roy learned to play was the 1939 standard, “You Are My Sunshine,” written by former Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis. By 1944, Roy had written his rst song, “A Vow of Love,” in front of his grandmother’s house in Vernon. Orbison performed on KVWC Radio in 1945 after winning a contest. In 1946, the Orbisons moved to the West Texas oil town of Wink, where, at the age of 13, Orbison formed his rst band, “The Wink Westerners.” He graduated from Wink High School in June 1954 and, before long the Wink Westerners were regulars on local television and radio programs. Though he initially passed on “The Teen Kings,” Phillips signed Roy Orbison to Sun Records after hearing Orbison and the Kings’ version of the Clover’s “Trying To Get To You” and “Ooby Dooby,” a single they’d recorded at Norman Petty’s studio in Clovis, N.M. Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings re-recorded “Ooby Dooby” for Sun Records on March 27, 1956, and the single peaked at #59 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in June 1956, giving Orbison his rst commercial success. Orbison’s string of hits made him one of the most popular rock ‘n roll singers of the time. Orbison performed his nal concert in Highland Heights, Ohio in late 1988. He died of a heart attack on Dec. 6, 1988 in Nashville. A large colorful sign at the site of Christ the King Hospital, where Orbison was born, was dedicated on his birthday in April 2013, and a birthday celebration is held each year at the site to honor the famed rock ‘n roll legend.

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COMMUNITY GUIDE

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Holy Family Catholic Church Saturday 5:00 p.m. English Mass 6:30 p.m. Spanish Mass Sunday

11:15 a.m. English Mass

2200 Roberts Vernon, TX 76384 552-2895

Shopping Local is easy...

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