Vernon, Michigan History

Vernon is a small, quiet residential community located on M-71 in Shiawassee County, half-way between Durand and Corunna. It is supported primarily by commuters who work in the Flint, Lansing and Owosso areas.

The Old Willow
at Vernon Cemetery in 1910

This town was named after Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, in 1856 when the Detroit & Mackinac Railroad came through the area and built a station here. The first store was built that year by Milo Harrington. In 1871, it was incorporated as a village.

Its first president was an engineer of the Railroad, Russell E. Bell. Many of the old buildings of yesteryear have been preserved in the downtown area, giving it a historical look.

Shiawassee County History