Photos and Story By Ken HulseyBack in the 1970s, I lived in the charming small town of Vernon, Texas. At that time, Vernon thrived with a variety of stores and restaurants. The town even had an annual rodeo, the Santa Rosa Roundup, and for leisure, there was a miniature golf course and the cozy Plaza Theater where we could catch a movie.
Life felt much simpler then. Vernon was a safe haven where parents didn’t worry when their kids rode bikes and skateboards throughout the town. The only rule was to return home when the streetlights came on.
Fast forward to 2012, when my future wife and I passed through Vernon during our cross-country journey. To my dismay, the town was just a shadow of its former self. The beloved Gibson's and M.E. Moses department stores were gone, as was the little newsstand where I used to buy comic books. My childhood home on Texas Street was almost unrecognizable, and the beautiful cottonwoods and mulberry trees that used to fill the yard had vanished. I could only wonder who would remove such lovely trees.
The Canton Cafe, where I had my first taste of Chinese food, was no longer there, nor was Pizza Point, which served the best spaghetti I’ve ever had. Surprisingly, Taco Casa, where I discovered Mexican food, was still open. I was shocked to learn that both Dairy Queens were gone, but there was a McDonald's, which brought back memories of kids longing for a fast-food fix back in the day.
I was thrilled to see the old Plaza Theater still standing. That’s where I watched my very first movie, *The Apple Dumpling Gang* with Tim Conway and Don Knotts, just in case you were wondering.
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect after being away for 33 years. I think we often have this illusion that everything will remain the same. But time changes things, and while it was bittersweet to see what had happened, my memories linger on, wrapped in a nostalgic haze of our youth.
Interestingly, I returned to Vernon a couple of years later while traveling back from my mother’s funeral. I was delighted to find that Vernon had made a comeback. It might not be fully restored, but new stores and eateries had popped up since my last visit. I hope this trend continues, and that Vernon keeps moving forward.
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