Pickering was named for its founder W.R. Pickering of Kansas City, who also established the Pickering Lumber Company in 1898. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

W.L. Ford was the Vernon Parish Superintendent of Education from 1905 to 1913. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise. 

 

The Vernon Parish Quiz Bowl will be held Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Leesville High School auditorium.
The event is co-sponsored by the Vernon Parish School Board and the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Eight Vernon Parish high schools will be competing for top honors, according to  Mr. Jackie Self, superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools. 

 The "Layer Cake" High School in Leesville burned in 1931. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

J.W. Moore was a Vernon Parish tax assessor from 1871 to 1875. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

James C. Palmer was Vernon Parish superintendent of education from 1902 to 1905. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.
 

Celebrations in downtown Leesville was the location for the annual Leesville High School Wampus Cats football banquet on Monday, Feb. 1. Head coach David Feaster and Principal Renita Davis welcomed a packed crowd to honor the 2009-10 Wampus Cats, a team that rallied to win its final three regular season games to advance to the playoffs.

One of the early churches in the Simpson area is the Church of God, established in 1897, with the Rev. R.H. Owens the first minister. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise. 

 The First Baptist Church of Leesville was organized in 1898 with the Rev. S.C.Self as its pastor. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

The Vernon Parish School Board voted to replace retiring District 8 representative M. Gene Haymon on Thursday.
Haymon's term expires December 31, 2010; however the 15-year veteran of the School Board announced that he was stepping down in January, effective Jan. 31.
The board voted unanimously to accept Kay Willbanks to replace Haymon.

Dr. Brown Word served as Vernon Parish Sheriff from 1934 to 1936. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

These paintings and more will be on display at Gallery One Ellleven this month as part of an exhibit featuring the work of local students. Students at Leesville Junior High School, Leesville High School and Pickering High School created the works as an interpretation of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken". A reception will be held this Saturday, Feb. 6, to introduce the exhibit to the community and feature the young artists.

The Antioch Baptist Church, which is located about seven miles north of Leesville, east  of La. 117, was founded in 1883 by Frank  Bolten, Jim Stephens, Riley Hillman, Joseph Williams and Newton Williams. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise. 

The Leesville Lions Club Auxiliary, which cooperates with the Leesville Lions Club in carrying out programs of youth activities and community betterment, was organized August 29, 1961. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise. 

The Vernon Parish Retired Teachers Association was organized November 21, 1953. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.