Welcome to Franklin County and beautiful Lake Cypress Springs…

Mt. Vernon is the hub of activity for Franklin County and boasts 4 museums one of which, The Old Fire Station Museum, features the Don Meredith exhibit and a very rare bird egg display.  The Franklin County Arts Alliance is a very active art group made up of many professional and aspiring local artists.  The Old Jail Art Museum is a must see for art lovers.  The Arts Alliance produces April Arts, an art show which showcases local artists displaying and selling their work.  Tour de Cypress Bicycle Race happens this same weekend in April.  Mount Vernon Music was founded by professional musicians from the Dallas area to provide concerts in their newly refurbished music hall.  We have had the privilege of hearing musical venues from classical string quartets to mariachi groups.  The Cultural Arts Center Courtyard and the Town Square Plaza are the stages for spring and summer concerts where our friendly residents meet to share a pleasant evening.  October brings our annual Country Fest, featuring arts and crafts vendors, and the ever popular Stew Cook-off.  It’s fun for everyone!

The county seat, Mt. Vernon is also rich in historic homes, many of which are used as museums, meeting places and for old fashion quilting.  We are a Main Street City and Visionaries in Preservation as well as a Certified Retirement Community, and our Courthouse is on the National Register.

Our weather is great for everyone.  Our highest average temperature for the years 1966 through 2008 was 93 degrees in August.  Our rainfall provides a beautiful, lush countryside to enhance the beauty of the lake and the county.  Our local 49-bed hospital is small by some standards, but huge on professionalism, friendliness and the ability to help residents.  East Texas Medical Center is a system that works to provide localized specialists to the small East Texas communities.  In critical cases, there is a helicopter that speeds the arrival of the patient to the hospital most able to provide a speedy and accurate prognosis.

To top off all of our very special attributes, the cost of living in Franklin County is far below the figures for the Metroplex of Dallas/Fort Worth.  This is where you can find economy and beauty in one package.