In 1939, Marion got the word that it would be the location of a new Veteran’s Administration Hospital and the local economy began to move again. In 1941, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to open the VA hospital and the same year, it was announced that the Illinois Ordnance Plant, known as Ordill, would be built right in our backyard creating thousands of jobs. In fact, at its peak production there were 10,000 people employed but it was closed in 1945 on VJ Day.
With two large projects and loads of transient workers, housing would be needed.
In 1941, Ralph Thurmond, son of E.M. Thurmond, conceived the idea of a motel, to meet Marion’s need for improved transient housing. He built a 16 unit motel, facing the Veterans Hospital grounds. Six years later he added another 16 units and a dining room, which was then outstanding in Southern Illinois and a little later added 18 more units to the motel, making a total of 50 units, which were filled a large portion of the time. The motel then, was on the west outskirts of town and was called Thurmond’s Motel Marion.
To construct his new motel, Ralph had employed an architect by the name of Walter Hubbard who had a son that went by the same name. When the job was concluded, the architect’s son remained behind to live with the Thurmond’s who had no children of their own and he was absorbed into the family as Walter “Wally” Thurmond.
The motel in its day was a masterstroke, with a swimming pool for guests, offerings of fine dining and entertainment by bands. Many a Marion family went to the Motel Marion dining room for Sunday dinners or entertainment on weekend evenings.
A postcard from the 1950’s states on the back, “ A Motor Hotel of Distinction” situated on Ill. Rt. No. 13, one mile west of the intersection with Rt. 37. Beautifully landscaped, it offers you an excellent place to stop or stay. Fifty all-modern rooms with tile tub and shower, telephone and radio, plus a cozy Honeymoon Cottage. Appetizing meals in the attractive Dining Room which seats 65 people. The Pine Room, for private parties, seats 40. Rates: Singles $3.50 to $5.00. Doubles $5.00 to $7.00.
Late 1960’s postcards touted the motel calling it, “The Country Club of Highway Motels” at 2100 W. Main St. City Route 13 – Just off Interstate 57- Adjoining Veteran’s Hospital- 50 Well Appointed Rooms- Heated Swimming Pool – Well Prepared Food – Friendly Atmosphere – Near Crab Orchard Lake.
In 1957, Ralph retired from the Marion Motel management, turning it over to Wally to manage and operate. Ralph Thurmond died two years later of a heart attack, on April 13, 1959, at the Marion Memorial Hospital.
The motel was sold to Jack and Linda Richey around 1978. The couple operated the business for decades and eventually gave over management to their son Mark Richey who still runs it in 2013.
The motel has deteriorated considerably over the decades, but still interestingly, serves as a mecca for transients, just as was intended when it was built over seventy years ago.
(Data from Ralph Thurmond’s Obit and local sources; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 09/05/2013)