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Points of Interest, Project Vernon Parish

Highway 171 Murals & Welcome Signs

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Project Vernon Parish | Points of Interest

Highway 171 Murals

Located on Louisiana Highway 171 South in Leesville, Louisiana these murals decorate the underpass created by the Kansas City Southern Railway bridge.  Commissioned in 2013 by the City of Leesville from local artist Les Comeaux.

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The mural on the right depicts the Kansas City Southern Railroad with rail cars that showcase Vernon Parish communities and sawmills that helped shape this area.

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Welcome Signs

“Leesville Welcomes You” is located on the embankment on Highway 171 South and “God Bless You” is on the embankment on Highway 171 North.  These signs were purchased by local residents and, with the permission of the City of Leesville, installed to welcome people to the city.

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Welcome to Vernon Parish

When entering Vernon Parish from Highway 171 South (Hornbeck), Highway 171 North (Rosepine), and Highway 28 West you will see these “Welcome to Vernon Parish” signs.  These signs were installed by the Vernon Parish Police Jury to welcome people to the parish.

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Cemeteries, National Register Prop..., Project Vernon Parish

Holly Grove Methodist Church & Cemetery

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Project Vernon Parish | National Register Properties | Cemeteries

Holly Grove Methodist Church and cemetery are located in Anacoco, Louisiana.  The historic Holly Grove Methodist Church was founded in 1835 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  There is a marker on the historic church that says that it is a also a Methodist Historic Site.  Services are no longer held in the historic church but take place across the street at the current Holly Grove United Methodist Church.

A nearby historic marker reads:

First church services 1826
Served by Circuit Riders
Founded in 1835 as
Methodist Protestant Church
Never without a pastor or
church superintendent
Still on original location.

Points of Interest, Project Vernon Parish

Painted Fire Hydrants

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Project Vernon Parish | Points of Interest

In 2014, Taylor and Kelsey Anderson painted fire hydrants in the downtown area of Leesville as their Girl Scout Gold Award Project.  The hydrants are primarily located in Leesville Historic District and along US Highway 171; they feature a number of designs and styles.

On 3rd Street, nearly all the hydrants are painted in the patriotic theme (there are quite a few of these) and I came across a couple of dalmatian dogs, one of which is in front of the Leesville Fire Department.  The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Leesville City Police also have hydrants dedicated to them.

National Register Prop..., Project Vernon Parish

Benson H. Lyons House

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Project Vernon Parish | National Register Properties

This home was built c. 1900 by Dr. E. E. Smart, the founder of Leesville, for his daughter Lula. Located in the Leesville Historic District immediately behind the Historic 1910 Courthouse, it is an impressive example of the Queen Anne Revival style.  The home is privately owned and not open to the public.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

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Cemeteries, Festivals & Events, Project Vernon Parish

Wreaths Across America | Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery

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Project Vernon Parish | Festivals & Events | Cemeteries

Wreaths Across America is an annual event that takes place across America every December and endeavors to teach the “importance of remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.”   Wreaths are laid by families and volunteers on graves at Veterans Cemeteries across the nation (and beyond).

In Vernon Parish, this event took place at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, located at 3348 University Parkway, on December 12, 2015.  After a brief ceremony and moment of silence, families and local volunteers laid wreaths on all the graves in the cemetery.

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Festivals & Events, Project Vernon Parish

MayFest

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Project Vernon Parish | Festivals & Events

MayFest is an annual music festival hosted by the Vernon Parish Tourism Commission in Historic Downtown Leesville.  The festival was awarded the Louey Award for 2012 Festival of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association.

Past performers at MayFest include many local, regional, and national favorites, including:  The Kentucky Headhunters, Frank Foster, Mia Borders, Old Man Band, Marcus Davis, Louisiana Sidemen, Mulligan Brothers, and many more.

In addition to wonderful music, MayFest boasts a large number of arts and crafts vendors, the Leesville Rotary Club Chalk-a-Block, and the Leesville Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and Crawfish Boil.  On Saturday morning, the AUSA Armadillo Stampede kicks off at 8 a.m.

The 39th Annual MayFest took place in Historic Downtown Leesville on May 2 -3 , 2014

The 40th Annual MayFest took place in Historic Downtown Leesville on May 1-2 , 2015