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| Vernon School in Mt. Hermon African American School |
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| Vernon School for African American Students Closed its doors in 1969 |
Vernon School for African American students closed its doors in 1969. An formerly enslaved woman named Jenny came into the area after gaining her freedom. Louis Vernon, a direct descendant of Jenny, started a school in a building on his property in 1885 twenty years after the Emancipation Proclamation. During slavery, it had been against the law to teach enslaved people to read or write. The denial of that opportunity was apparently the motivation needed to inspire the Vernon family to establish a school in Mt. Hermon, Louisiana.
As interest in education grew, it became necessary to acquire additional land for the school. On August 25, 1925—forty years later—three acres of land were purchased from the Vernon family to erect a school building on the present site. According to courthouse records, the deeds were signed by Ed Vernon, D.M. Brumfield, and Dave Wrought, who was one of the early bus drivers. Fraser Vernon served as the school’s first principal.
Later, the Rosenwald Fund contributed money toward a building at the present site. The Rosenwald Fund helped finance the construction of more than 5,000 schools for African American children in the rural South. In June 1949, a high school building was added. In November 1951, an elementary building was constructed. A gymnasium was added in March 1954, and a lunchroom followed in May 1958. In 1960, a new classroom wing was built. In 1961, funds from the PTA were used to construct a covered walkway, and the PTA also built an agriculture/shop building.
In 1960, the School Board purchased an additional 4.7 acres from Isadore Vernon, who was the first bus driver for Vernon School. Another portion of land was purchased in 1961 from Marcel Dyson, Crimal Dyson Williamson, and Arthur Williamson.
Vernon High School was a place where many careers were launched. Numerous young Black men and women came into this community as teachers, dedicating themselves to developing the minds and shaping the lives of young boys and girls. Many devoted their entire lives to this calling. Former students of Vernon have gone on to serve their community, state, and nation as engineers, teachers, farmers, homemakers, dentists, medical doctors, veterinarians, counselors, doctors of education, postal workers, business owners, insurance brokers, and in virtually every area of professional life. Others served in the military as officers and enlisted personnel; some received the Purple Heart, and others gave the ultimate sacrifice—their lives. Graduates also became attorneys, ministers, nurses, law enforcement officers, and interior designers. Their contributions are immeasurable.
Students regularly competed in local, regional, and state events in music, athletics, public speaking, and academics. Some romances began at Vernon and blossomed into lifelong marriages. In addition to Fraser Vernon, others served as principal of the school. Mr. R.J. Lawrence served in the late 1920s. He was followed by Mr. Almore B. Dyson, who served as principal from 1930 until the 1954–1955 school year. Mr. Ruben H. Cornist then served as principal until the school closed in 1969.
Today, Vernon School needs the help of good Samaritans and caring individuals to restore the building as a community resource center—one that will continue producing productive members of society in the East Florida Parishes, the state of Louisiana, and the nation. The vision is to create a center that offers after-school programs, creative arts, computer classes, job readiness training, life skills programs, senior citizen programs, and other enrichment opportunities designed to enhance the quality of life for residents of the Mt. Hermon community.
A nonprofit organization has been established to support this effort: Neighborhood Christian Center of Louisiana, under the leadership and direction of Elder Albert J. Brumfield, Pastor of Plainview Cochusa Church of Christ Holiness.
