Community Profile LOCATION Vernon is located in North Central Texas, 50 miles northwest of Wichita Falls at the crossroads of U. S. Highways 287, 183/283 and 70. TRANSPORTATION Air: Wilbarger County airport, two major airlines out of Wichita Falls. Rail: Burlington-Santa Fe Railroad Motor Freight: Four major lines, two bus lines CLIMATE January average temperature: 25 degrees July average temperature: 97 degrees Average Rainfall: 25 inches Natural growing season: 221 days UTILITIES Gas: TXU GAS Electric: West Texas Utilities, A Division of AEP, Inc. and Southwest REA Telephone: Southwestern Bell, Stellar Communications, High Plains NTS, and Santa Rosa Communications Water: 41 wells Cable TV: Cebridge Connections CIVIC AND CULTURAL Red River Valley Museum Carnegie Public Library Wright Library, Vernon College Campus Community Concert Association Vernon Art League Vernon Plaza Movie Theater Vernon Council of the Arts Boys and Girls Club, Scouts, Camp Fire United Way Service and Study Clubs Jaycees Kiwanis Lions Optimist Rotary BASIC ECONOMY Agriculture - diversified crops and ranching Manufacturing Oil and Gas General Commerce GOVERNMENT City: Mayor, four commissioners and a city manager, fire, police, water, street and parks department County: Judge, four commissioners BANKS Vernon has four banks offering five convenient locations throughout the city. The three banks with headquarters in Vernon have combined deposits of more than $465,000,000 and assets of some $549,000,000. RESIDENTIAL Well-kept homes have long been a hallmark of the community, with adequate housing available in all price ranges. Several apartment complexes also are available, as well as the Merrill Gardens Retirement Center