Vernon is located northwest of Wichita Falls toward Quanah along US 287 at the junction with US 183/283 and US 70, near the Pease River and the Texas/Oklahoma state line.
The seat of Wilbarger County, it was first called Eagle Flats because of eagles nesting nearby. The Post Office changed the name to Vernon for Washington's home, Mount Vernon.
Beginning in 1950 the population generally averaged more than 12,000. In 1990 Vernon was a center for agriculture-related products and for oil. At that time the city was the home of Vernon Regional Junior College and reported 12,001 residents.
