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Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce
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  • OUR CITY
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    • Job Board
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    • Lodging & Camping
    • Visit Mt. Vernon
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    • Join Us
    • Member Deals
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  • CHAMBER
    • About
    • Board of Directors
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  • DIRECTORY
  • EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Annual Banquet
    • Apple Butter Makin' Days
    • Business After Hours
    • Christmas on the Square
    • Coffee & Connection
    • 2024 Holiday Central
  • MEMBER LOGIN

Mt. Vernon:  A Nice Place to Visit, A Great Place to Live

About Mt. Vernon, Missouri
Nestled in the heart of Southwest Missouri, Mt. Vernon is a thriving community rich in history, natural beauty, and small-town charm. Conveniently located along Interstate 44 between Springfield and Joplin, Mt. Vernon offers the perfect blend of rural tranquility and economic opportunity, making it an ideal place to live, work, and visit.​
A Rich Heritage
Founded in 1845, Mt. Vernon has a deep-rooted history reflected in its historic downtown square, unique architecture, and longstanding community traditions. The town takes pride in preserving its heritage while fostering a progressive and welcoming environment for residents and businesses alike.
Community Events & Attractions
Mt. Vernon is known for its vibrant community events that bring residents and visitors together year-round.
  • Apple Butter Makin’ Days – Held every October, this beloved festival features craft vendors, delicious food, entertainment, and, of course, homemade apple butter!
  • Christmas on the Square – A festive holiday celebration complete with lights, shopping, and seasonal cheer.
  • Outdoor Art Gallery - The Mt. Vernon Regional Arts Council displays local work commissioned by local artists. Located at the Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Obelisk Attraction - 65-foot way maker sign that pays tribute to the Ozarks Trail. Located at the Ozarks TA Travel Center.
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The Adamson Cabin is one of the few remaining authentic pioneer homes found in the region and was constructed in 1845, the same year the county was founded.
A Strong Business Community
As the seat of Lawrence County, Mt. Vernon is home to a diverse mix of businesses, from locally owned shops and family-run farms to manufacturing companies and professional services. The Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in supporting business growth, networking, and economic development, ensuring our community continues to thrive.
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Mt. Vernon's centralized location places it within a quick drive of two lakes, the nationally recognized tourist spot of Branson and several major cities. In many ways this is why Mt. Vernon is often referred to as the gateway to the Ozarks. Just off I-44 at exit 46, Mt. Vernon is ideally located and has everything you need within driving distance, but still boasts the joys of living in a small town. 

Mt. Vernon residents are proud of their park facilities, seven in all. The largest park in the city can be found north of the downtown area. The Spirit of 76 Park complex features a zero-entry Olympic-sized swimming pool. The pool was remodeled in 2023 with a zero-entry, lazy river, zipline, and state-of-the-art water features designed for small children and adults alike. The complex also features four baseball fields, tennis courts and a "Mighty Mite" football field, along with a picnic area that winds along the tranquil waters of Williams Creek.  Don't miss the walking trails for a bit of fresh air.

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Points of Interest

Jones Memorial and Chapel
Jones Memorial and Chapel built in 1961 is located northeast of town, adjacent to the golf course. The stone building houses a wedding chapel and meeting hall and the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum. The museum and cabin are open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through October and by appointment. The local landmark is available for meetings, wedding or other special event. For more information please call 417-466-2185.
The Adamson Cabin
This cabin is one of the few remaining authentic pioneer homes found in the region. It was constructed in 1845, the same year the county was founded, and was moved to its present location next to Jones Memorial on N. East Street. Admission is free.
Williams Creek Fishing Pond
Located just North of the "Spirit of '76" park is the Williams Creek Fishing Pond, which offers handicapped accessible fishing piers and a popular walking path as well as a spacious picnic area. There is also a beginner-level hiking trail in amongst the woods that provides a serene walk and unique landmarks.

66-Foot Obelisk
The obelisk located just of I-44 at exit 46 is next to the Ozarks TravelCenter. The 66-foot structure 
pays tribute to the old Ozark Trail, which was the main way of travel across the U.S. before the construction of the historic Route 66. It tells travelers the distances of various cities across the country.
​Mt. Vernon Branch Regional Library

The Library is located just off the square at 206 W. Water St. and is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (except for federal holidays). Your library card is free for residents of the county and gives you access to the entire collection of items in all branches of the BLRL, located in 9 towns across Barry and Lawrence Counties (including Miller)—part of the collection of the Lawrence County Historical Society.  The Library also has computers available for public use and free Wi-Fi within the building. The friendly librarians offer regular programming for all ages, including story times for preschoolers, homeschool enrichment groups for grades 1 through 12, book clubs, painting classes, and quilting groups for adults. Other services include printing/copying, faxing, and notary, all for a reasonable fee. For more information, see our website (blrlibrary.org), call 417-466-2921, or follow us on Facebook (Mt. Vernon Branch-Barry Lawrence Regional Library).
Fish Hatchery
The Chesapeake Fish Hatchery, which produces a variety of warm and cool water fish, can be found east of Mt. Vernon on Highway 174. It is an ultra-modern facility consisting of 24 ponds, 12 raceways and a large hatchery building. For more information or for tours, call 417-466-3421.

Parks

Gary Ewing Park
Nestled in big shade trees, the Gary Ewing Park is a perfect spot for family and community gatherings. It also features a disc golf course and is located on the east side of the city's 9-hole golf course. Park benches and a covered pavilion are provided.

Wynne Park
The site of Mt. Vernon's Veteran's Memorial, Wynne Park is located on the business loop next to the Chamber of Commerce and provides a concrete walking trail, playground equipment and a picnic area.

Gibbs Park
Named after the family who donated the land, Gibbs Park near the downtown Square features a skate park and offers a pavilion and various playground equipment for children.

Entertainment

Golf
Mt. Vernon is home to a 9 hole golf course located on the North East edge of town. Golf cart rental and storage are available. Mt. Vernon has a very active golf league. For more information, click here or you can contact the golf course at 417-466-7831.
Robert E. Talbot Wildlife Area
Just a few minutes drive from Mt. Vernon is Talbot's Wildlife Reserve. Horse trails, walking trails, and several ponds for fishing are just some of the attractions available. During hunting season, it has an exceptional deer and turkey habitat to satisfy any hunter. For more information, please call 417-452-3879.
Horse Back Riding
The Mt. Vernon Saddle Club and Longhorn Arena are very active and have several rodeos and events throughout the year.
Fishing
Fishing can be enjoyed at the Williams Creek Pond, which features a handicap dock. Also, Mt. Vernon is centrally located between Beaver Lake, Stockton Lake, and Table Rock Lake for some of the best fishing the Ozarks has to offer.
The Playground Event Center + Lounge
The Playground features indoor games like air hockey, billiards, darts, shuffleboard, a golf simulator and more! Catch a live band in town or karaoke on Saturday nights and enjoy great food and cold beverages.

​Tennis
Mt. Vernon has four tennis courts located at the Spirit of '76 Park. The courts are open year round from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Swimming
Mt. Vernon is very proud of its Olympic size swimming pool located at the "Spirit of '76" Park. The pool was renovated in 2024 and features a lazy river, splash pads, a rock climbing wall, slide, and much more. It is handicap accessible with a zero-entry. The pool is available for swimming lessons, water aerobics, and private parties. You may reach the pool at 417-466-7688 for further information. click here.

Williams Creek Pond
Williams Creek Pond adjoins the Spirit of '76 Park and has handicap fishing dock, asphalt walkway around the pond, and handicap restrooms. Williams Creek Pond offers a relaxing atmosphere for families to picnic, fish, or exercise. ​
Festival
We certainly wouldn't want to forget Apple Butter Makin' Days, held the second weekend in October every year around the historic town square.  Apple butter, crafters, car show enthusiast, a parade and fair food - if you don't make it here any other time, this is worth the drive.  See the page here.
Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce
425 E. Mount Vernon Blvd. | Mailing Address: PO Box 373
Mt. Vernon, Missouri 65712
Contact Us

Copyright © 2024, Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
  • HOME
  • OUR CITY
    • Job Board
    • Job Board
    • About Mt. Vernon
    • Lodging & Camping
    • Visit Mt. Vernon
    • Organizations & Resources
    • Education
    • History
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • Join Us
    • Member Deals
    • News
  • CHAMBER
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Business Resources
    • Contact Us
  • DIRECTORY
  • EVENTS
    • Event Calendar
    • Annual Banquet
    • Apple Butter Makin' Days
    • Business After Hours
    • Christmas on the Square
    • Coffee & Connection
    • 2024 Holiday Central
  • MEMBER LOGIN