Vernon in Wilbarger County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Wilbarger County Centennial Time Capsule
1881-1981
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2025
1. Wilbarger County Centennial Time Capsule Marker
To be opened Oct. 2031
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 34° 9.179′ N, 99° 17.049′ W. Marker is in Vernon, Texas, in Wilbarger County. It is at the intersection of Wilbarger Street (Business U.S. 287) and Main Street (U.S. 183), on the right when traveling west on Wilbarger Street. The marker is at the southwest corner of the Wilbarger County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 Wilbarger Street, Vernon TX 76384, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. It is also on the American Great Plains and specifically on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vernon Texas Confederate Monument (here, next to this marker); Napoleon 12 Pounder Bronze Field Gun Model 1857 (here, next to this marker); Early Wilbarger County (here, next to this marker); Wilbarger County WWI Memorial (here, next to this marker); Wilbarger County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); Thaddeus Edgar Johnson (approx. 0.2 miles away); W. D. Berry Home (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernon.
Also see . . .
this page online
(by John Leffler) Excerpt: Wilbarger County was established in 1858 from lands formerly assigned to the Bexar District. Because of Indian hostilities it attracted no settlers until 1878, when the first settlement was made and the county was attached to Clay County for judicial purposes. It was named for early settlers Josiah P. and Mathias Wilbarger. C. F. and J. Doan, the first settlers in the area, established Doan's Crossing and Store where the Western Trail crossed the Red River; C. F. Doan became the county's first postmaster in 1880 after buffalo hunters, cattlemen, and Indians settled near the store, and mail lines to Wichita Falls, Mobeetie, and Seymour were soon opened. By 1880 there were 126 people living in the area. Wilbarger County was organized in 1881, and the town of Vernon was designated the county seat; there were only fifty-six voters in the county at that time. The county grew quickly during the 1880s, despite droughts in 1886 and 1887, the prevalence of prairie dogs, and occasional rampages of stampeding cattle from the seasonal cattle drives that traveled through the area. By 1890 there were 720 farms and ranches, encompassing almost 313,000 acres,(Submitted on May 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)in Wilbarger County, and the population had increased to 7,092.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 20252. Wilbarger County Centennial Time Capsule MarkerThe southwest corner of the Wilbarger County Courthouse is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
