Community

Vernon Center is an ideal place to raise a family.  Small enough to retain the traditional values of rural America, yet close enough to urban centers to provide entertainment, employment opportunities and higher education to our residents. 

150th Birthday Celebration  

In 2006, the City of Vernon Center will be 150 years old!   Click on the "150 Years!" link on the left to read more about it. 

Contact Barbara Glynn at 507-549-3045 to find out what Red Wing Commemorative Pottery is still available!  

Our religious heritage is as old as the village itself, with the first church completed in 1867.  This church was built by the Methodists in "old town" and was dismantled and moved up the hill to the new Vernon in 1887.  The Baptist Church was built in 1881 on land given by one of the early settlers.  This church was disbanded in the 1950's and the building sold to a private party in 1995. St. Peter's Lutheran Church was organized in 1910 and met at Petrich's Hall on Main Street until the first church was build in 1914.  In 1912, the St. Matthew's Catholic Church was dedicated.  The current building was built in 1956.  The community is also served by St. John's Lutheran Church, located just a few miles west in the Willow Creek area.  The influence of the churches on people's lives is observed and expressed by those visiting or doing business in Vernon Center.  This religious influence enhances the safe, secure and friendly atmosphere of the town.

 Our School System

The first school house in Vernon Center was a two-room building erected in 1893.  This building was replaced by a larger four-room school in 1902.

According to Lydia Pautsch of Good Thunder, students could go to school at the Vernon Center Brick School  through 10th grade back in the 1920's.   She apparently attended from 1926-28.   The "high schoolers" used the library of the school (a 12x12 room).  There were 12 kids in her freshman class.   The Superintendent, Mr. Gross, also taught in those days.  According to Lydia, there would not have been anything for him to do if he hadn't!   She told me that they even had a girls and boys basketball team, even though they did lose most of their games :)  The ball team played at the Town Hall (Opera House).  Lydia was a classmate of Florence Brown.

The following article appeared in the local paper around  1950:

When the community outgrew that building, high school students were bused to Garden City.  In 1956 the old school was demolished and the present facility was built for grades 1-8.  

In 1969, Vernon Center consolidated with Rapidan and Garden City to form Wellcome Memorial District #78.  Students in K-6th grades remained in school here and grades 7-12 were bused to Garden City.  A new classroom was added in 1977 and pre-school classes were begun in the fall of 1986.

In July 1987, District #78 entered into a pairing agreement with Lake Crystal District #70.  A new middle school for grades 5-8 was established in Garden City, grades 9-12 in Lake Crystal and grades K-4 remained in Vernon Center.   Consolidation of the two districts was approved in 1990 and officially became Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial District #2071 in 1991.  Wellcome Memorial is one of the few privately endowed public schools in the State.   The Wellcome Trust of the UK provided an endowment at the behest of the late Sir Henry Wellcome, founder of the world renowned UK based Glaxo-Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company.  Sir Henry grew up and attended school as a youth in Garden City.  It was his wish that there always be an educational facility in Garden City.  He left an endowment to provide for it.  

Vernon Center School was closed approximately two years ago.  It was purchased from the school district by the City of Vernon Center and is now under new private ownership.  Apartments for the community are being planned for this building.   

The St. John's Lutheran Church operates an elementary school located in the Willow Creek area.  The Willow Creek school is reminiscent of the old time country school of a bygone era and is noted for it's excellent educational disciplines.  It has prepared many young people from the Vernon Center area to succeed in whatever high school they choose to attend.

 The Neighborhoods

Pleasant, well kept houses at affordable prices, reasonable local taxes and lower overall costs of living can make Vernon Center an ideal home for a first home owner or young family.  The city of Vernon Center is currently looking at ways of expanding availability of housing in the area.

Vernon Center is a safe place to raise kids.   It is a place where neighbors know and care about each other.  This feeling of community that exists in and around the town, helps make Vernon Center an excellent place for your family. 

School groups, the Boy Scouts, 4-H and church youth groups provide plenty of growing experiences for children. 

Recreational opportunities abound in and around Vernon Center!  The city adjoins the Blue Earth River which is used by fishermen, canoeists, snowmobilers, hikers, inner-tubers and hunters.  The abundance of surrounding lakes, woods and waterfowl habitat provide outstanding outdoor opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, swimming and skiing (water, down hill and cross country).   A groomed snowmobile trail network skirts the city.  A lighted sliding hill and skating rink are maintained for winter fun.  Organized softball leagues play on the lighted ball field and a number of challenging golf courses are located just a few minutes away.   The Blue Earth County Fair, the State's oldest County Fair, is located just 5 miles to the north in Garden City.

Vernon Center is located only 20 miles southwest of Mankato, the largest urban area in the region.  The new Mankato Civic Center and Mankato University  provide ample opportunity for excellent cultural, sporting and entertainment events. Vernon Center is about a hundred miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  It's an easy commute to the best cultural and artistic experiences that the Midwest has to offer.

The Cemeteries

At the end of the day, we all seek a final place of rest.  Three Cemeteries serve the Vernon Center Area.  The largest of the three  is the Vernon Center Cemetery just south of Vernon Center off highway 169.  Non-sectarian, it is home to many of the area's Lutherans and Methodists.  The Catholic community is served primarily by the St. Matthews, just east of Vernon Center on County Road 10.   Members of the St. John's Lutheran church may find final rest at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, west of Vernon Center, in Willow Creek.  

This section was last updated:

02/05/08