Vernon Parish was named after George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, and was created by an act of the Louisiana legislature on March 30, 1871, from portions of the Parishes of Natchitoches, Rapides, and Sabine.  The Parish economy has largely been based on pine products since its earliest days.  The logging and lumber business became a thriving business in 1897 with the coming of the Kansas City Southern Railway still in operation today.

 

Leesville, an area known as "No Man’s Land" of Louisiana, was designated the seat of Vernon Parish in 1871 and incorporated on February 15, 1900.  The city was founded by Dr. Edmund E. Smart and named by his father, Senator R. Smart for the Confederate Hero, General Robert E. Lee.  The city was laid out on the plantation owned by Dr. Smart whose home still stands and is located on the corner of First Street and Lula Street.