1960, Marion Public Square Bypassed by New Route 13

On Friday, October 28th, 1960, the Marion Public Square was bypassed by new Illinois Route 13. For the first time, east and west bound traffic on Route 13 no longer had to pass through the middle of town and around the square with the completion of DeYoung from N. Fair Street on the east side of Marion.

Traffic at this time still had to enter and exit Marion from the east on old 13, but got jogged by way of N. Fair which had to have three blocks from Boulevard to DeYoung converted from the old tar and chip city street to a paved surface as is explained in the following article.   Continue reading

Bones, Eugene F. 1875-1913

Bones Eugene FEugene Frank Bones was born in April 1875 in Crab Orchard Precinct to Thomas and Martha Bones. At the age of 14 years he commenced writing for newspapers, his first work having been for Marion and Creal Springs papers, and at the age of 18 was a contributor to the Detroit Free Press.

Having chosen newspaper work for his occupation at an early age, he gave special attention to the school branches which were calculated to fit him for the work, and the manner in which he handled news showed that he learned well that which he early anticipated would be required to make him a capable newspaper man. Continue reading

1972, Marion Illinois Assets

I-57 is Biggest of Marion’s Assets

Interstate Rt. 57 is the biggest asset ever to come to Marion.”

Banker Oscar Schafale’s opinion is shared by others.

Franklyn Moreno, Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission, said I-57 with its connections to Interstate Rts. 24 and 64 and a proposed Southern Illinois freeway to St. Louis make “everything coming at Marion. It enhances it as being a central location.” Continue reading

500 S. Court St., Marion, Illinois

The land on which 500 S. Court Street now stands, was deeded to Samuel Aikman by the United States of America on February 11, 1839. This was part of a large land purchase of 640 acres at $1.25 an acre. That same year, the city of Marion as well as Williamson County was established. In the decades preceding the Civil War, Samuel sold the land to his son Thomas, who in turn, sold it to his brother William Aikman. Continue reading