By Allen and Regina Kosub

"What is in a name? Does it remind us of things past or introduce us to something new? Names that do both are rare. The name La Vernia is such a treasure, a legacy from the pioneers who first settled the area!"

"They built churches, schools, plantations, homes, businesses, and a way of life modeled after their experiences in the old southern states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. . . Stalwart, religious, intelligent, and of strong character . . . Their sons were killed and wounded during the Civil War, and they struggled through the Reconstruction that followed. La Vernia witnessed the start of many cattle drives that traveled up the trails to points north. The days of the Wild West brought the jingle of spurs and the smell of gun-smoke to La Vernia.

"The pronunciation was soon corrupted to "La Vernia". . . The terms "El Verde" and "La Verdear" have never been found in any record."

"On June 4, 1859 the following notice appeared in the San Antonio Daily Herald "Change of Name – The Post Office heretofore known as ‘Post Oak’ has been changed to that of ‘Lavernia, Bexar County, Texas’."

. . . regarding the origin of "La Vernia" seemed to arise. The reference to a Spanish origin seems questionable.  . . Additionally, according to scholars of the Spanish language "El Verde" or "La Verdear" are unusual usage at best, and incorrect at worst."

The choice in 1859 was "Lavernia", not "La Vernia". . ."La Vernia" evolved from an initial choice of "Lavernia".

 "…practically all the settlers in La Vernia and Bethesda were literate.  Many of them, such as William R. Wiseman were men of considerable education."

"it was written, . . . the founder (St. Francis). . . amidst the highest summits of the Tuscan Apennines. Monte del Alvernia, now Lavernia, was a wild and sequestered region, covered with heath and rocks, and the primeval forest . . . ‘shade above shade, a woody theatre of stateliest view.’ " 

"It is seated on a lofty rock, broken into numberless pinnacles, while thick groves, rising to the summit, and nodding over the steeps, casts a rich and mellow shade upon the whole scene." . . .  the Tuscan Lavernia was purportedly the place where St. Francis felt closest to God."