Lately, I’ve developed a strong interest in the history of Texas. For Christmas, my wife and daughter surprised me with two fantastic books about the state’s history. Right now, I’m reading one of them, a gift from my daughter, called "The Blood of Heroes" by James Donovan, and I’m really enjoying it. This book focuses on the Battle of the Alamo, a topic I’ve been curious about since childhood.
I can’t wait to share some of the fascinating things I’m discovering from my reading. But before diving into interesting facts about Texas history, I want to share a bit of my own connection to the state. Back in 1974, my father decided he was done with the busy life of Southern California, specifically Whittier, a suburb of Los Angeles. He moved our family to be closer to his brother J.G. and his family in Vernon, Texas. I was just six years old then. Since I wasn’t used to the big city, moving to a quieter farming town in North Texas wasn’t too hard for me.
We moved into a house on Texas Street that everyone around here calls "The Doctor's House." It got that name because a well-known local doctor used to live there. If you’re from Vernon, you know the home—it stands out with its rock front, unlike most homes that are made of bricks or wood. The doctor had a real passion for plants and flowers, and you could see that everywhere you looked. Each flower bed and bush was carefully taken care of, with little metal signs that named the different plants. Honestly, it felt like we had moved into a living garden; we could have charged people to come see it!
However, after a while, my dad wasn't really into gardening, so the signs came down, and the plants started to grow on their own—some thrived and others didn’t. We still enjoyed a lovely yard filled with flowers, but it wasn't the botanical wonderland it used to be. At just six years old, I didn’t think much about the plants; I was way more excited about my huge bedroom and a backyard that seemed as big as a football field! It was like having my own private park.
There wasn't any playground equipment, but there were plenty of trees to climb and a ton of open space. As I played, the yard transformed into so many different worlds thanks to my imagination. It turned into away missions from the Starship Enterprise, battlefields from World War II, and even a home for dinosaurs. For a young boy, it truly was a paradise all my own.
Check Out: Vernon, Texas: Your Gateway to Authentic Lone Star State Adventures!
Growing up in Vernon was a truly wonderful experience. Life back then felt much simpler. It was a town where you could hop on your bike and ride to the store or explore the neighborhood looking for fun. People in Vernon looked out for each other. If you found yourself in trouble and needed help, your neighbors were always there to make sure you were safe. And if you were being mischievous, those same neighbors would march you back home to your parents, who would dish out some discipline.
The schools in Vernon were outstanding, and I attribute much of my knowledge to the lessons I learned there. My first school was linked to a Lutheran church. Although I can’t quite recall its name now, it was where I was introduced to the concept of God. My family wasn’t particularly religious, but they wanted me to have some exposure to it. At first, I felt a bit out of place because my classmates were familiar with church traditions and songs. For me, it was all new and quite interesting, and those early experiences helped shape my faith.
After first grade, that church school closed down, but the parents of the students banded together to buy and renovate another building, allowing us to keep a church-based school going. I have fond memories of second grade—having a crush on my teacher, a friend bringing a record of the Partridge Family for show and tell, enjoying fried okra for lunch (since my mom told the lunch lady I loved it, I got it almost every day), and playing games inspired by Hogan's Heroes with my friends. We would crawl under the bushes, pretending they were secret tunnels!
After that school closed too, and I moved to a public school for third and fourth grades. The public schools in Vernon were also great, and I enjoyed my teachers there. I even received several awards for different subjects, especially geography and history, which continue to be my favorites.
Shopping in the 1970s was quite different from today. I have fond memories of browsing through the toy sections in Gibson's and M.E. Moses department stores in town. While my mom looked for yarn (she loved to knit), I would search for Tyco trains and Darth Vader action figures. It was common back then for kids to explore stores on their own. Gibsons, Moses, and T.G. & Y. had everything you could think of, from clothes to tools, and even records—kind of like a smaller, cozier Walmart or Target.
Check Out: Remembering the Magic of M.E. Moses: A Journey Back to the Heart of Main Street, Vernon
Of course, if you needed something out of the ordinary, you would make the hour trip east to Wichita Falls, where modern shopping centers and a K-mart awaited. As a humorous side note, Vernon was the county seat of Wilbarger County, which was a dry county, meaning you couldn't buy beer or alcohol there. Some clever person built a liquor store right over the county line, and every Friday night, there was a line of cars headed to and from that location. I still insist that person retired a millionaire!
No story about Vernon would be complete without mentioning the local cuisine. There were some fantastic places to eat. I fondly remember the spaghetti at the Pizza Point (for some reason, I never liked pizza), my first taste of Chinese food at the Canton Café, my initial sampling of Mexican food at Taco Casa, and an excellent steakhouse out on the highway whose name I can't recall.
Another cherished memory involves watching movies at the Plaza Theater downtown. The first movie my family ever saw together was "The Apple Dumpling Gang," a Disney comedy set in the Old West featuring Don Knotts and Tim Conway. I also enjoyed watching countless cartoons and even a few Godzilla movies there. My lifelong love of movies was certainly nurtured there, so I don't need to elaborate too much on that.
One memory I cherish is my first time playing in the snow. It was Thanksgiving Day, and the weather was unexpectedly warm, so I went outside wearing just a short-sleeved shirt. The next morning, my mom woke me up with enthusiasm, and when I looked out the window, I was amazed to see our backyard transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland, blanketed with about a foot of snow that had fallen overnight. It was such a delightful surprise!
After living in Vernon for four years, my father decided he wanted more than small-town life, so we moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had served in the military. I really enjoyed my time there, but a part of me wishes we had stayed in Texas. In a way, I attribute much of who I am today to my experiences in Vernon, which is why that place means so much to me. I've often thought about moving back there one day; who knows what the future holds?
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