<P> Fire Station Museum - Housed in the 1940 WPA - financed fire station, changing exhibits from the permanent collection include nature and history displays of butterflies, bird eggs, violins, toys, seashells, antique tools, wood carvings, and Native American artifacts . The dental chair and equipment that were once used by Dr. Con Smith in Mount Vernon is on display . Exhibits upstairs include a collection of bird eggs and Native American artifacts from Franklin County and other parts of Texas and a collection of butterflies . The museum is one of only 13 museums holding eggs of the extinct Carolina parakeet, heath hen, and passenger pigeon . An exhibit of sports memorabilia related to the life and career of home - town boy and pro-football legend Don Meredith is also housed here . The museum is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., and otherwise by appointment . It is located at 111 S. Kaufman Street . Call 903 - 537 - 4760 for information and appointments for tours or visit FCHA Online . Admission is free . Ask for a free map of historic homes and an annotated driving - tour guide for the town . </P> <P> 1894 Railroad Depot - The restored Mount Vernon 1894 Cotton Belt Railroad Depot is a real gem that has been carefully restored pursuant to National Register standards with original colors and decor . Waiting rooms, designed to serve the separate races under the law of the land at that time, today house exhibits . The central office is furnished with antiques suitable to an office at the turn of the 20th century including working telegraphy and railroading exhibits . A model train exhibit in the white waiting room will delight children . The large freight room houses an 1899 Studebaker covered wagon in excellent condition and offers students a chance to reflect on the real change in transportation in America after the advent of the automobile . There is also a small 1880 log cabin that was moved onto the property, a syrup press and mill, period mule - drawn farm machinery, and a blacksmith shop . The Depot is located at 202 S. Kaufman Street . Call 903 - 537 - 4760 to schedule a tour or visit the Fire Station Museum across the street for me information . Admission is free </P> <P> Bankhead Highway Visitor Center - The Bankhead Highway, which opened in 1919 and ran from Washington D.C. to San Diego, was the nation's first all - weather transcontinental highway . It passes through Franklin County and serves as Mount Vernon's Main Street and follows an early Indian trading route known as the Choctaw Trail . By 1930 it was renumbered as U.S. No. 1 and was called "The Broadway of America ." The Bankhead Highway Route was changed in 1937 and follows present U.S. Hwy 67 . The Visitor Center is one fourth mile west of U.S. Highway 37 on CR NW 1017 . Just follow Main Street to the west past Highway 37 . The Visitor Center includes the Lowry Pavilion, which is available to rent for special outdoor occasions, and the Dupree Park Nature Preserve and Nature Trail, a mile and a half walk through the property with special marked stations for bird sightings . Though the property gates are locked at off hours, a pedestrian gate allows admittance for individual use from dawn until dusk . A printed trail guide is available in the Visitor Center . </P> <P> Alamo Mission Museum - Using a replica of the Alamo Mission as the backdrop, the mission mixes history and fun . Learn about Texas history and bring the family out for family events such as Chili Cook - off & Bluegrass Festival, Turtle Derby, Halloween Hayrides with pumpkin fun, and Redneck Rendezvous . The museum is located at 1714 County Road 4105 SE . For more information, call 903 - 588 - 2442 . </P>

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