Vernon in Washington County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Vernon, Florida

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, April 22, 2014

1. Vernon, Florida Marker

Inscription. In the 1820s, settlers arrived in the area around present-day Vernon. One of the earliest was Stephen J. Roche who built a trading post on Holmes Creek and called it “Roche’s Bluff.” The town of Vernon developed near the trading post. On December 9, 1825, Washington County became the third county in west Florida. In 1851, Vernon was named as the first permanent county seat of Washington County. Located at the intersection of a military road and Holmes Creek, Vernon became a natural crossroads for travelers and commerce between Tallahassee and Pensacola. Stagecoaches and small steamships transported passengers, mail, and merchandise through Vernon. When a railroad was built across the northern part of the county, Vernon lost its prominence as a center of business and government. In 1927, the county seat was moved to Chipley. Vernon played a significant role in the history of northwest Florida and, today, remains an important link in the network of towns that serve the citizens of the area.

Erected 2004 by The Vernon Historical Society, Inc. and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-507.)

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1820.

Location. 30° 37.525′ N, 85° 42.717′ W. Marker is in Vernon, Florida, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Road 79) and Roche Avenue (State Road 277), on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is located in the park at this intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vernon FL 32462, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vernon Old School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shady Grove Elementary School For African American Children

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, April 22, 2014

2. Vernon, Florida Marker

(approx. 0.9 miles away); Moss Hill (approx. 3½ miles away); Native Americans in Holmes Valley (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hard Labor Church (approx. 6.9 miles away); Hinson's Crossroads (approx. 8.3 miles away); Holmes County (approx. 11.8 miles away); Falling Waters State Park (approx. 12.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernon.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,217 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.