Robert W. Duncan, age 92, lifelong resident of Marion, IL except for the time he served in the Navy, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at his home.
He was born in Marion on Monday, December 20, 1920, the son of Absalom Wesley and Nellie Mae (Drake) Duncan. Continue reading
August L. “Gus” Fowler was born December 11, 1900, in Marion, to John Vancleve Fowler and Mary Charlotte Birkholz. He grew up in the family home located at 919 W. Cherry Street with one younger sister, three years his junior, named Cecile Fowler.
Gus was a graduate of the Marion Township High School and was vice president of his senior class in 1918, and the editor-in-chief of the first yearbook at Marion Township High School. In the same year that Gus graduated from high school, his 14 year old sister, Cecile, passed away. Continue reading
There is a word not often used, sesquicentennial. Officially, the meaning refers to a celebration of one and a half centuries of something. Here in Williamson County, our grand and noble enterprise, the Williamson County Fair, has earned such a name. It is the Sesquicentennial of the founding of our beloved County Fair. Although the Fair itself will be held in August, as usual, we intend to celebrate its Big Event all year long. Continue reading
By 1940, with increasing north/south traffic through Marion, the Illinois Highway Department offered Marion the choice of either increasing the width of Court Street or bypassing Marion altogether by building a bypass on Carbon Street which at the time was at the west edge of town. The full content of these articles follows. Continue reading
Throughout its long history, the Williamson County Fair has featured many famous celebrities and entertainers. None was more well-known or beloved than Annie Oakley, the legendary sharpshooter. “Little Miss Sure Shot” once put on a demonstration of her uncanny marksmanship right here in Marion. As a matter of fact, it is believed that this appearance was Annie’s last with a traveling show, ending a spectacular career which had begun in 1884 with the world famous “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.” Continue reading