In 1927, when Illinois State Highway 37 was in the planning stages, it was recommended that the route pass through Marion on Court Street. However, as this article from the Daily Republican indicates, the more favorable route preferred by Marion citizens and the city council would have been South Market, straight through the heart of the downtown business district at the time. Fortunately for us, that never happened and Court Street was ultimately chosen and built in the early 1930’s.
City Council Favors South Market Route
A special meeting of the Marion City Council was held Saturday night with a number of spectators present, at which time a resolution was read and adopted stating that it was the sense of the governing body of the City of Marion, that the routing out of Marion for the new State Hard Road 37 should be over South Market Street. This action was taken with the knowledge that recommendations had been made to the State Highway Commission that the route should go over South Court Street, past the grounds of the Marion Country Club, at whose solicitation it is reported this action had been taken.
Those favoring the South Market Street route have secured signatures of about two thousand persons favoring that route and they have the support of Representative William A. Bandy. Resolutions have also been passed favoring the route by the Elks Lodge, Red Men’s Lodge and Knights of Pythias, as well as by the Marion Trades Council, all of which have large memberships.
At the meeting Saturday night the chief spokesman for the South Market Street route was Hosea Borum, living near the boundary of Creal Springs Township. He pointed out the fact that all the small towns were seeking to have the state highway pass directly through the heart of the towns, and if it was a benefit to the small towns, it would likewise be to the larger cities. He argued that if the tourists would pass through the business district they would stop and spend some money, whereas the other route would take them away from the business center.
He cited the fact that it was the direct route for the people of the east side of the county and would be no farther for the people of the west sector. He told of the hundreds of acres of fruit orchards which the South Market street road would help. He pointed out the fact that there were more churches and more school houses east of the railroad that west of it.
He also stated if the South Court street route was selected, it would mean crossing the railroads at great expense and persons living east of the track would have to cross it twice to come to Marion. The saving to the state in building on South Market Street was also given. Another reason for the South Market street route was that the ground was higher and less liable to overflow from Crab Orchard Creek.
C.C. Davis also made a strong talk favoring the South Market street route and short talks were made by others. A call was made for advocates of the South Court street route, but no one responded. The vote of the council was unanimous.
Sam’s Notes: The original old Route 37 road-bed can still be seen on the west side of the existing highway as you leave Marion to the south after passing Crab Orchard Creek and following the small curve, it appears to be about 10 feet in width. See attached photo.
(Marion Daily Republican, August 20, 1927)