Historical Marker

Vinson

Harmon County · Oklahoma

Two men who grew up around Vinson ended up far from it. Rufus Davidson, born here in 1908 and raised on a farm as one of twelve children, joined a vaudeville company in 1929 as Rufe Davis and later played the train conductor Floyd Smoot on Petticoat Junction. John Aaron grew up near Vinson, studied physics at Southwestern Oklahoma State, and on November 14, 1969, as a NASA flight controller, is credited with saving Apollo 12 after lightning struck it, by calling for SCE to Aux. The post office, opened in 1903, was discontinued in 2017.

What the plaque says

Vinson 1892 - Francis - 1902 Greer Empire, Texas 1902 - Trotter - 1903 Unassigned Indian Territory The town of Vinson has a colorful history. It's one of the first settle- ments in this part of the country. The town was thriving in 1904 when a storm came thru, lightening struck the north side, burning most of the buildings. Vinson ran north to south then. Vinson was rebuilt along "The Trail" later Hwy 9. There were banks, hotel, grocerys, drug store, car dealer, gas stations, wagon yard, boarding houses, cafes, ice plant, phone office, the gin, doctors, dentist, barbers, tailors and feed stores. There was also an American Legion, Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. In 1907-08 the first school was built with Cave Creek, Independence and Union Grove consolidating to form Vinson. Later, Madge, Opal, Carl, Sulphur, Union Hill, Hurst, Hackberry and Elm Valley. In 1964 the school closed. The people had to be strong to endure the hardships of pioneering. Their faith was supported by area churches. The Primative Baptist, First Baptist, Methodist, Nazerene, Church of Christ and Pentecostal. In 1912, at a revival meeting, it was noticed that many of the men were not present. The pool hall was open and in use. It was suggested that without the pool tables, the congregation would increase. The minister and ladies took the tables out and burned them. There are two main cemeteries in the area. Cave Creek south of Vinson and Independence west. Many from Vinson served in the military. We would recognize those who served and honor the memory of the ones we have lost in various wars. Vinson Day is celebrated on Saturday before Easter each year. 1903 - Indian Territory - 1906 1909 Vinson, Harmon Co., Oklahoma

Where it stands

34.90053, -99.85984 · Directions

Worth the stop nearby

Tower Station and U-Drop Inn — 31 mi
Shamrock's 1936 Conoco station and cafe at the corner of Route 66 and US-83, sketched in the dirt with a nail, named by a schoolboy and saved by the town.

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