Motel Marion

There is always a certain amount of irony in life. During the depression of the 1930’s, many Marion citizens were forced to leave the area in search of jobs so they could feed their family. That fact, coupled with a loss of income and savings by many when banks closed, forced a number of families out of their homes. This culminated in over 400 Marion homes being demolished or moved and many more vacated. Continue reading

Thurmond, Ralph 1896-1959

Thurmond Ralph 1896-1959George Ralph Thurmond was born in Ewing, Illinois on January 6, 1896, the son of Elisha M. and Ida A. Ingram Thurmond. His father, Elisha, taught school and engaged in farming and raising livestock prior to bringing his family to Marion on October 1, 1909 to engage in the monument business by buying the Marion Steam Marble Works (monument makers). Continue reading