1899, Marion City Election

The City Election

During a Day of Quiet and Peace Temperance People Score a Victory

The contesting forces, saloon and anti-saloon, met and measured swords in this city Tuesday. The contest was exceedingly quiet and fell short the full vote, considerable, but resulted in a victory for the temperance ticket. The result was a surprise in more ways than one; however, many will say, “I told you so.”

For some time past the saloon party has been in power and well-fortified, but owing to the open violation of the law and conduct exceedingly bad Continue reading

1927, Council Favors S. Market as Route for Highway 37

Old Rt 37 RoadbedIn 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. Continue reading

1927, Start Work on Catholic Church

Start Work on Catholic Church

Father Joseph A. Tragesser of West Frankfort, who is overseeing the work of building a Catholic chapel in Marion, announced that actual construction work started on Wednesday when the first ground was broken.

The chapel, which will be of frame construction 32 by 72 feet and costing nearly $5,000 will be built at once and it is hoped to have it ready for occupancy before snow flies. Continue reading