A story that began in 1976 has come full circle and resulted in a new Marion City Flag flying over the Tower Square.
In 1976, Mary Lou Roberts won a contest sponsored by the Marion Chamber of Commerce to design a flag for the City of Marion. Her design, with the addition of a sketch of the clock tower done by Pauline Stearns, became the official flag for the city.
A few flags were made, but when they became tattered and worn, the project was abandoned.
Recently “Penny” Bagby of the Marion Elks Lodge #800 became interested in the fact that an empty flag pole stood on the square next to the American Flag. Since he had voluntarily taken over the upkeep of the flags on the Square, this bothered him and he approached Mayor Robert Butler.
The design was found and a joint effort between the Marion Elks and the City has provided the town with new city flags to be flown on the Square and to be made available to the public.
“Since I am the Elk’s representative to the Veterans Hospital, the upkeep of the flags in the area has always been a labor of love for me,” said Bagby. So when I found that there was already a design available for the flag, I contacted the flag maker that we at the Elks use.”
The 4×6 foot flags are blue, white and yellow with the background forming the letter “W” and the Marion Square Clock Tower in the center.
In addition to the city flag, the Marion Elks furnish an American Flag and POW flag to the city. These are replaced as the need arises.
“These flags are something the whole city can be proud of,” said Bagby.
When Roberts won the contest with her design, she was awarded $25. She has kept that $25 all these years as a remembrance and is so proud to have the flag once again flying in Marion.
“The Elks have been the prime movers in this project to reestablish Marion’s own city flag,” Mayor Robert Butler said.
Anyone interested in obtaining an official Marion City Flag for their business or home may contact the City Hall for more information.
(Extracted from Marion Daily Republican article dated April 6, 2001)